Prologue
“People often use the words “moral” and “ethical” as though they are interchangeable. They are not. Morals are an idealistic notion of right and wrong, while ethics are a range of professional rules setting limits for practitioners. What is moral, is not always ethical, and what is ethical, is not always moral. The Criminal Justice System, for example, is not moral; it’s merely ethical. If it were moral, than criminal defendants wouldn’t be the only ones facing time and serving sentences. The Judges, prosecutors, cops, and, yes, even defense attorneys, would all take their turns behind bars as well. Because, you see, if the criminal justice system were moral, rather than merely ethical, then we, the people who make it up, are all just one, giant, coalition of criminals.”
Amy Greene, Assistant Public Defender
