Maintaining judicial dignity

In recent years, there has been a disturbing trend of individuals and groups loudly calling for justice in specific cases during the court process. Rhetoric such as “justice for this” and “justice for that” has become all too common, with activists and ordinary citizens alike taking to the streets or using social media to demand outcomes that align with their personal beliefs. This phenomenon poses a significant challenge to the integrity of our justice system and undermines the foundations of the rule of law.

The judiciary is the cornerstone of any democratic society and has the important responsibility to interpret and apply the law impartially. The judiciary is guided by the principles of fairness, evidence and legal precedent to ensure that everyone receives a fair trial. When public opinion seeks to influence judicial decisions, it risks distorting these principles and turning legal proceedings into popularity contests rather than objective assessments based on facts and law.

One of the greatest dangers of this kind of public lobbying is the potential to create a climate of fear and intimidation. Judges, who are supposed to remain neutral and detached, may feel the pressure of public opinion and render decisions that are more in line with public opinion than justice. This not only jeopardizes the outcome of individual cases, but also undermines public confidence in the judicial system as a whole. If people come to believe that justice will be influenced by the loudest voices, the principle that everyone is equal before the law is fundamentally undermined.

Furthermore, the act of publicly shaming or protesting an individual who is still undergoing the legal process is a form of vigilante justice. It bypasses the structured, deliberate mechanisms of the justice system and replaces them with mob rule. This is particularly worrisome in cases where the accused may ultimately be found not guilty. Premature convictions based on incomplete information can cause irreparable damage to reputations and lives, violating the fundamental principle of “innocent until proven guilty.”

There are also wider societal implications to consider. When the public takes justice into their own hands, it sends the message that the existing legal system is inadequate or cannot be trusted. This can lead to increased lawlessness as individuals begin to feel empowered to take justice into their own hands. A society that loses faith in its judicial system risks descending into chaos and disorder, where personal grudges and subjective opinions carry more weight than objective, evidence-based decisions.

The public must recognise and respect the limits of their involvement in judicial matters. While it is entirely appropriate to advocate for legal reform or to support victims through lawful and appropriate channels, attempting to influence the outcome of a specific case through public pressure is impermissible. The judiciary must be allowed to operate without interference, guided only by the law and the evidence presented.

We all have a responsibility to uphold the sanctity of our judicial system and enable it to function independently and impartially. Only in this way can we ensure true justice for all.