An Explanation Of Charging Samantha

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The alternative option of charging Samantha with a DUI according to act utilitarianism would cause a significant adverse effect. Charging Samantha with a DUI would cause Judge Robertson to turn against the entire police force and would likely result in fellow police officers mistreating Officer Jankowski. Officer Jankowski though would feel good about his choice of charging Samantha because it is the law and his duty. In addition this choice kept Samantha safe, and possibly other drivers safe. In this scenario Officer Jankowski causes the most harm to the audience. The number of people negatively affected by his choice is greater than the number of people who would benefit. Only Officer Jankowski and the potential other drivers Samantha may …show more content…

The first rule that is presupposed by the action of Officer Jankowski charging Samantha with a DUI can be formulated as; Officers should enforce the law no matter who the accused is. The alternative rule that can be presupposed by Officer Jankowski’s action of letting Samantha off with a warning would be formulated as; Officers should take into consideration who the accused is when enforcing the law. Now, it must be determined who the proper audience for the rule is. All people would be effected by this rule, specifically people who are prone to committing illegal acts. In this case Samantha, her family, Officer Jankowski, the police department, and other citizens driving on the same road as Samantha would be effected by the rules. Next it must be determined which of the rules would produce the greater amount of utility according to rule utilitarianism. Enforcing the law no matter who the offender is upholds the law and continues to give the law meaning. Simply who the person is would not have an effect on the officer’s decision reinforcing the utilitarian idea that everyone’s well-being is equally important. Therefore greater amount of utility would result in officers enforcing the law no matter who the suspect. This choice upholds the law and ensures equal treatment under the law. Equal treatment under the law reinforces the idea that under utilitarianism everyone’s well-being is important

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