Criminal Law and Common Law defenses Research Paper

Criminal Law and Common Law defenses - Research Paper Example For example a person who is legally injured can apply tort law to recover damages from the concerned person (the one who is ‘liable’ for the damages) (White, 2003). Tort law defines the legal injury and the conditions under which the doer (of the mistake) is held responsible for the injury caused (White, 2003). Tort laws are different from other laws. A tort is the violation of private rights, for example the rights to be safe and harmless from the actions of others. Anybody who is able to distinguish right and wrong can be charged for committing a crime. In the matter of torts anybody under any age can be held liable for torts. Torts are intentional as well as unintentional. Normal crimes are punishable by the state. Torts however involve individual consequences; the injured person has got every right to act. Tort law is different from other laws; other laws are classified pursuant to their seriousness (White, 2003). Criminal justice system enforces criminal laws. Criminal justice system is nothing but a compilation of legal and social institutions that administer criminal law with respect to a set of already defined laws and regulations. Criminal justice system upholds social control, maintains justice and enforces laws. The Criminal Justice System of all nations includes three components: law enforcement, courts and finally corrections. Criminal justice systems include several major subsystems, composed of one or more public institutions and their staffs: police and other law enforcement agencies; trial and appellate courts; prosecution and public defender offices; probation and parole agencies; custodial institutions ( jails, prisons, reformatories, halfway houses, etc.); and departments of corrections (responsible for some or all probation, parole, and custodial functions) (Cole and Smith, 2003). All the three major components of the criminal justice system should

Is religion a choice or it's just a brainwashing Research Proposal

Is religion a choice or it's just a brainwashing - Research Proposal Example 173). For decades organizations and associations have been using pressure tactics and mind control in the name of religion. Through brainwashing an individual is forced into conversion, which not just violates the human rights, but also has negative psychological consequences. They realize the extent to which they had been under influence, when they exit or defect from the system. Free will in religion is essential to maintain human rights and dignity but the way things stand, religion is not a matter of choice. The concept of brainwashing originated from the communists with the intention of overpowering the free will of the victims or forcing them to become communists (Anthony 1999, p. 424). It was then applied by religious cults in converting people. Religious experiences and beliefs are caused due to hallucinations and delusions (p. 428). Anthony cites Abgrall who believes that brainwashing, mind control, mental handling, coercive persuasion, are all methods to replace the thinking process (p. 426). Hypnosis makes people highly susceptible to â€Å"suggestions† (p. 428) and the altered states of consciousness results in conversions based on overwhelmed will (p. 429). Even though America has rejected the brainwashing model, Robbins cites three shocking events where violence resonated – Jonestown, Synanon and Rajneeshpuram (Robbins, p. 171). How the court or the judges interpret law widely differs from psychological reality or how transformations or beliefs can be affected or influenced. This has been found in not one but series of conspicuous events. Evidences from France, Belgium and Geneva demonstrate that various techniques have been used to recruit members and retain them (Richardson and Introvigne, p. 147) although there are allegations that America has exported the concept of brainwashing to all other countries. A French psychiatrist compares conversion or brainwashing to seduction