HessForGovernor Equal Protection Position Paper

Equal Protection under the Law

In legal proceedings the Courts’ first task is to determine if defendants committed the act(s), THEN consider any mitigating factors as to punishment. The safety net in our judicial system is the power of the informed jury, even to decide on the law.

We must each be totally responsible for our actions. And we absolutely have to demand a return to respecting the principles of caveat emptor (“let the buyer beware”), and the Good Samaritan Rule (absent proof of “evil intent” any Citizen may offer assistance without fear of later prosecution for honest, well-intended mistakes). And only a jury should be empowered to make such a determination.

Equal protection under the law has proved to be the most elusive, and yet exalted goal in our society. It is the necessary basis to the formation of our society.

I will do all I possibly can to effect changes in our legal/judicial system where each individual is treated equally, including the presumption of innocence, regardless of all characteristics of the individual.