[Fido969]

I just wanted to touch on this statement.

As proof of that statement, look at the conviction rate for murder: only about 60 to 65% of murders ever result in a conviction. That is despite all the best efforts of the police and prosecutors to hold someone responsible in the most important of all classes of criminal cases

It is amazing to me that I can have my kids stripped from me by an absurd accusation, three innocent college kids can have their lives torn apart by the lies of a drunk hooker, but murderers get away a third to a half of the time.

I don't feel much safer.

[Law is not justice but process]

"It is amazing to me that I can have my kids stripped from me by an absurd accusation, three innocent college kids can have their lives torn apart by the lies of a drunk hooker, but murderers get away a third to a half of the time."

All that has been proven in the Duke case so far is probable cause. The accuser's story is enough for that. I suspect the conviction rate in this case will be zero. There are far more arrests in the United States than convictions (O.J and Robert Blake were arrested, but are not among the 60% convicted of murder). I am still convinced the system will work in this case. If there is a bad actor here, it is the accuser if she lied and the D.A. who has left the appearance (if not the reality)that he used the publicity in this case for political advantage. It is not the entire system, but two individuals.

As for taking children away on absurd allegations, that is another issue altogether. The thought is children are too vulnerable to risk leaving in harms way, even if the evidence is weak. Assure the children's safety first, then sort out the truth of the accusation later. This approach far too often traumatizes children (and parents) for claims later proved to be unfounded. Fortunately I never have to make those calls. Those calls are for the family court judges. But the child welfare system scares me sometimes as well.