Blind Justice is the theory that law should be viewed objectively with the determination of innocence or guilt made without bias or prejudice. It is the idea behind the United States Supreme Court motto “Equal Justice Under Law” and is symbolized by the blindfolded statue of Lady Justice which is the symbol of the judiciary. In ancient times an administrator would hear a charge and dispense the law as written.

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  • Blind Justice
  • the ABC television series
  • the legal concept
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  • Blind Justice is the theory that law should be viewed objectively with the determination of innocence or guilt made without bias or prejudice. It is the idea behind the United States Supreme Court motto “Equal Justice Under Law” and is symbolized by the blindfolded statue of Lady Justice which is the symbol of the judiciary. In ancient times an administrator would hear a charge and dispense the law as written. The Hammurabi code is the oldest and most famous example of what was called lex talionis, or an eye for an eye. The accused would literally sit behind a blind individual and an official would declare a pre-determined punishment without influence of opinion on the individual. Neither would that official have knowledge of the details of the alleged crime. The presumption of guilt was automatic. Punishment was often draconian and unavoidable. The Pentateuch, compiled several centuries later, also advocates the concept of blind justice:"You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor. " "You shall not be partial in judgment. You shall hear the small and the great alike. " Justice that is blind to both circumstance and status can have an oppressive effect. It is therefore prudent for a jurist to be both judge and mitigator of circumstance. It is often agreed in modern times that status of the accused should not be considered. In this way justice becomes pragmatic, progressive and liberal.
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  • Blind Justice is the theory that law should be viewed objectively with the determination of innocence or guilt made without bias or prejudice. It is the idea behind the United States Supreme Court motto “Equal Justice Under Law” and is symbolized by the blindfolded statue of Lady Justice which is the symbol of the judiciary. In ancient times an administrator would hear a charge and dispense the law as written.
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  • Blind justice (concept)
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