David Marshall: Justice delayed is justice denied

Lady Justice (Adobe Stock Photo) (TriceEdneyWire.com)—America is a nation of symbols. The bald eagle was designated the national emblem because of its strength and determination. The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom. The Liberty Bell is an iconic symbol of independence. While people are quick to embrace these and other symbols of American patriotism, the true meaning behind these iconic symbols is often rejected and ignored. The Lady Justice Statue is the most recognized symbol of American justice, depicted as a blindfolded woman holding scales and a sword. The scales represent the balance of justice. They imply a systematic, rational process of fairness where both sides of a case will be considered even-handedly. It counters the reality of a shameless segment of society with its “thumb on the scale” approach to justice—an approach where too much weight (or biased influence) on one side will cause the scales to tilt unfairly in one direction. The sword in the hand of Lady Justice represents power and authority as well as the power to punish injustice. The most severe blow from the sword is capital punishment. The true meaning of the blindfold tells us that justice is blind in its impartiality...