The justice system may seem detached: cold rules, mountains of paper, and formal courtrooms. But to those operating within it, there exists an immeasurable number of ways to make a human difference. Judges, crown lawyers, defense lawyers, police officers, probation officers, and court officials all can influence not only results, but lives. This is how they do it in practice.

Helping victims navigate the system

Victims of crime will usually come into the justice system confused and scared. Some professionals exceed the expectations of their job descriptions in different ways:

Explaining processes
Planning next actions
Gauging wellbeing.

An example here is a crown attorney, who can make sure that victims are aware of their rights, assist them in preparing to testify, and refer them to counseling options. Karen McLeave, crown attorney in Toronto, developed a reputation that mixed vigorous prosecution with a human touch. She ensures that the victims are taken care of at all stages.

Rehabilitating people out of jail

Not all crimes require prison. Most professionals have used their discretion to route individuals into programs instead. The most common ones include:

Substance abuse treatment
Anger management classes
Indefinite community services.

These alternatives can not deter reoffending. They can also provide individuals with the opportunity to get their lives back on track rather than being caught up in the cycle of imprisonment.

Nurturing the next generation

The influence of justice professionals is not restricted to the courtroom. Others mentor, teach, or volunteer with youth programs. For example:

The police officer as a coach in a local athletic team
A lawyer as a mentor to law students.

These examples demonstrate to the young that the justice system is not set against them, but they can use it to their own benefit.

Such activities may never generate headlines. However, they deposit seeds of trust and aspiration that bear fruit in the long run.

Forging alliances with communities

The demystification of the justice system can occur through:

Community policing
Open forums
Education sessions with the citizens.

Here are some examples:

When officers appear at town hall meetings
When lawyers work as volunteers at legal aid clinics
When crown attorneys appear in schools.

These encounters establish to communities that the justice system is not all about punishment, it is also about partnership.

Maintaining integrity day by day

Just the fairness of doing the job can be the biggest influence.

A judge willing to describe their decision in simple terms
A court clerk who is respectful to all
A lawyer who represents their clients adequately without looking at their income level.

These are practices that promote confidence and trust in justice. They may be small, but they add up to a culture where individuals feel that they can be served by the system.