The adversarial system of justice used throughout the United States is designed to pit the accuser against the accused through the experience, training, and talents of the attorneys. Although every criminal defendant who may face a jail sentence is entitled to the effective assistance of counsel and to a trial by jury, there are inherent inequalities in the ability of the poor and the rich to defend against the power and resources of a government prosecutor's office.

Identify advantages and disadvantages inherent within an adversarial system of justice that allow the powerful to be pitted against the weak, the experienced against the inexperienced, and the rich against the poor.

Suggestions for Responding to Peer Posts

• Do you agree or disagree with the points made by your peer? What additional arguments can you lend to those points?
• If you disagree, what additional arguments can you make that will directly refute the statements made by your peer? Were there any aspects of the post that made you rethink your position?