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EQUAL BEFORE THE LAW? UNMASKING DISPARITIES IN REAL-WORLD JUSTICE |
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| รหัสดีโอไอ | |
| Creator | Kittisak WONGMAHESAK |
| Title | EQUAL BEFORE THE LAW? UNMASKING DISPARITIES IN REAL-WORLD JUSTICE |
| Contributor | Puthisat NAMDECH, Kovit WONGSURAWAT |
| Publisher | Asian Crime and Society Review |
| Publication Year | 2568 |
| Journal Title | Asian Crime and Society Review |
| Journal Vol. | 12 |
| Journal No. | 2 |
| Page no. | Article 6 |
| Keyword | Equality Before the Law, Justice Disparities, Criminal Justice Reform, Institutional Bias, Comparative Law |
| URL Website | https://so02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/IJCLSI |
| Website title | https://so02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/IJCLSI/article/view/282580 |
| ISSN | 3027-6896 |
| Abstract | Equality before the law—a cornerstone of democratic governance—faces persistent challenges in the real world, undermining public trust and social cohesion. This article addresses the critical question: To what extent is equality before the law truly realized, and what factors perpetuate disparities in justice systems? Synthesizing two decades (2005-2024) of theoretical and empirical research, this study unmasks disparities in criminal justice, migration, and economic policy, demonstrating how discretion, institutional design, and structural factors interact to shape access, protections, and legal outcomes. Our analysis reveals that independent oversight, diversified decision-making, procedural fairness, and addressing fundamental social determinants are crucial for advancing equality. Drawing on cross-national comparisons and diverse case studies, we identify policy pathways that promote equality, including targeted reforms in adjudication and risk assessment, governance frameworks that minimize bias, and integrated policies that address social and economic disparities. This research contributes novel insights into the persistent gap between formal legal protections and substantive equality, offering evidence-based strategies to enhance fairness and accountability in justice systems. The findings underscore the ongoing need for vigilance and reform, even in seemingly egalitarian contexts like Sweden and the United Kingdom, and highlight the importance of context-sensitive, policy-coherent approaches to promote real-world equality. These insights have significant implications for policymakers, legal practitioners, and researchers seeking to advance justice and reduce inequalities, particularly in the Asian context. |
