It seems with every passing year political correctness becomes more and more radical. From terms like economically disenfranchised instead of poor, to undocumented Americans instead of illegal aliens, the politically correct crowd goes out of it’s way to avoid offending anyone. I don’t completely disagree with the ideology behind political correctness, and to be honest I find myself guilty of using politically correct language myself sometimes. I do question the lengths some go to avoid using a term that may considered disparaging.

Recently in Nebraska a district judge in Lancaster County by the name of Jeffre Cheuvront took political correctness to a new level of absurdity. The trial he is presiding over involves a man by the name of Pamir Safi who is accused of raping Tory Bowen. The jury however will not hear the word “rape” used in the trial because judge Jeffre Cheuvront has restricted the use of the term in order to keep the trial fair. In all fairness to Judge Cheuvront, the term “rape” is not a legal term so this ruling, although questionable, is understandable.

The judge however has also decided that simply restricting the use of the term ‘rape’ was not sufficient and has taken it one step further. He has also restricted prosecutors from using the term “sexual assault”, which is a legal term. Not only is the term “sexual assault” a legal term found in the penal code, it is also the crime the defendant is charged with. The judge, in his infinite wisdom, has decided that although “sexual assault’ is a legal term, it is a charge that only the jury can determine. “Under the rules of evidence, witnesses can’t reach legal conclusions,” he said.

This leaves the accuser in a precarious position. While testifying on the stand and describing the events of that night she will have to describe the act as sex, or intercourse. The use of either of these terms may imply to the jury that what occurred that night was consensual, which according to the accuser, it was not.

Our countries legal system was founded on the principle of innocent until proven guilty, and while not perfect, I truly believe we have the greatest legal system in the world. It is very unfortunate when judges like Jeffre Cheuvront, in an effort to not prejudice the jury against the accused, bring political correctness into the courtroom. The defendant may indeed be innocent of the charges against him, however the charge against him is sexual assault and that term should be allowed in a courtroom.

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Appellate Court, Politics