Vigilante Justice: What is it and Does it Still Happen in Kansas?

The judicial system is in place to give justice to those who have been wronged. However, like any system, it sometimes fails. When this happens, a vigilante may decide to achieve justice on their own, without legal authority. Vigilante justice may perceive the government as ineffective in providing criminal punishment and try to provide that punishment. Although you may think vigilante justice only happens in a Clint Eastwood movie, it is quite common today, even in Kansas.

The recent acquittal of George Zimmerman has caused a rapid rise in vigilante justice across the nation. Zimmerman and his family fear a vigilante might try to give Zimmerman the punishment they feel the government didn’t provide. ‘Justice for Trayvon’ protests caused riots where windows were smashed and fires started. Not long ago, Kansas saw vigilante justice first-hand as Wichita abortion doctor, George Tiller, was shot. The shooter felt morally justified because the Judicial system had not interceded on the late-term abortions conducted by Tiller.

Vigilante justice may seem acceptable to some citizens. Some believe there simply are not enough police officers to respond in a timely manner, while others believe they can help society by apprehending the “criminal” themselves. What many fail to realize, is vigilante justice is extremely dangerous. A Kansas City man was almost shot when he followed a man he believed to be a serial rapist. The man responsible for killing Tiller, Scott Roeder, has been sentenced to life in prison.

With legal and safe ways to check the justice system, citizens can still help uphold the law. Trying to enforce punishment by using vigilante justice will only put your life in danger.

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If you have had a Kansas car wreck injury that was not your fault and need medical treatment, you need an experienced professional who can help you get back on the road to recovery. Call us today at 316-269-1414 or visit our contact page here. Our Kansas personal injury attorneys will provide you a free initial consultation and if we take your case you don’t pay a dime unless we recover money for you. Even then we only take a percentage of the total amount of your recovery.

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