Talking Criminal Justice: Language and the Just Society

Dr. Michael J. Coyle 
Faculty, Political Science Department, 
California State University, Chico 

The title of Dr. Coyle’s presentation is the same as that of his recently published book. He maintains that the language we use to talk about justice constructs definitions for words such as “criminals,” “offenders,” and “innocent victims” that do not accord with our commonly-held commitment to “equal justice for all.” He argues that this is an across-the-board problem that perpetuates our current system, whether the words are spoken by “conservatives” or “liberals.” 

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Recorded: April 4, 2013