Dialectics of Class Question in Access to Criminal Justice: Inclusiveness As a Game Changer
Criminology and Security Studies Department
Faculty of the Social Sciences
National Open University of Nigeria
91 Cadastral Avenue, Nnamdi Azikiwe Express Way
Jabi- Abuja, FCT Nigeria.
+234-8058989545
Placing affirmative action and social justice as ideal model in equal access to criminal justice for all reveals contrasting mismatch in favour of class discrimination that questions emerging innovations in law enforcement and practice of social justice. There is constant gap between those occupying upper (haves) and those of the lower class (have nots) of economic ladder that escalates dialectics manifesting discrimination and label that threatens the lower-class interest. However, while affirmative actions and social justice advocates continue advancing research and practice of inclusiveness in access to criminal justice for all, it is disheartening that only little scholarly attention is given to the increasing discrimination across class line in access to criminal justice in most climes. Hence, the article seeks to examine Dialectics of class question in access to criminal justice: Inclusiveness as a game changer. Drawing from the foregoing, the paper argues that inclusiveness in access to criminal justice system is possible. It also, agrees that the value of law enforcement is determined by the measure of social justice it allows. The paper further argues that allowing class interest determine denial or access to criminal justice obstruct social justice. Labelling and social constructionist models provide insight that demonstrate the strength of discretion in criminal profiling and interpretation. Adopted multivariate analysis assesses the impact of socio-economic factors and conflict of class interest support for discrimination in criminal justice access and denial. It is concluded that despite increasing surge global demand for inclusive access to criminal justice for all class, policy and practice have not encouraged enough inclusiveness in the process leaving class increasingly as determinant of access and denial.