Judge Dredd and the Legal Future
Never mind the rubbish Stallone film, his honour Judge Dredd, as seen in 2000 AD, created by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra, is a towering figure in the historic future of the common law. I am surprised that he has not been analysed to death by the critiquin’ Law and Lit gang.
I have been looking back over the good judge’s early adventures, (2000 AD progs 1-60) , as well as some more recent judicial archives, and here are some preliminary thoughts, preparatory to an article called something like ‘Keep the Dredd Flag Flying There’.
The Legal System of the United Cities of America and the Luna- 1 Colony, at the end of the 21st Century
Judges combine the roles of judge, legislator and policeman. They are not quite executioners as well, though they seem to have a great deal of leeway in terms of killing lawbreakers whilst in the process of committing a crime, or when evading arrest. They were elected – apparently in some once- and-for-all fashion, rather than individually - by the people to enforce the law in the face of a big crime problem (prog.2). The Covenant of the Judges proclaims ‘Show us your lawbreakers and we shall show them justice. Mega City 1 will be crime-free. Trust the Judges!’ (prog. 27). This looks rather more sloganish than covenantly, however. The teaching of law probably no longer deals with the niceties of bargain-formation.
The ‘father of justice’ was Judge Fargo (prog. 377). Other famous judges include Goodman, Hansar, Rubins, Mandela (prog. 377).
Headed by ‘The Grand Judge’ they are equipped with slinky and distinctive uniforms, helmets,‘Lawmaster’ bikes (with cannon, obviously), ‘lawgiver’ guns and ‘law rod’ rifles, they patrol the streets, aided by various hi-tech detection gadgets.
Judicial training involves being calm and behaving with dignity at all times (prog. 6). There is also a great deal of physical training. Judges are trained at the Academy of Law, leaving their families to be educated in a military style boarding school, (prog. 26) eventually graduating, and progressing through an apprenticeship, to become full judges, if they are considered fit. They are expected not to show favour to their families once they enter the academy. A cadet is passed with distinction when he puts his own mother away for eighteen years (prog. 419)
There are some specialists, such as those with special mental powers, like Anderson J (a female judge and a vegetarian – hurrah!) (e.g. prog. 394). And the undercover ‘Wally Squad’ (prog. 388).
Their HQ includes a Council Hall of Justice (prog. 10) and a Judges’ Canteen (prog. 9). A big old computer helps with their analysis of offences and their patterns (prog. 25).
They sometimes go to the bad – e.g. Dredd’s brother, Rico, and the judges who become vampires in the future hell in ‘City of the Damned’ (prog. 392)
Liked it
