Crime and violence in Costa Rica: Law Enforcement

Crime is a fact that affects Costa Rican and foreign visitors. The previous video shows how crime and violence are very harmful problems because they only bring negative effects to the community.

 In the past, crime was only a word in Costa Rica, but nowadays, it is totally different, crime is very common. Peace and tranquility that identified Costa Rica, as peaceful country, now seems to be a dream. Crime, assaults and robberies at homes are really common in most Costa Ricans` lives.  People are afraid of going out because cities are very dangerous.

In most newspapers, magazines and TV news it is very common to watch information about crimes and assaults that occur in our country. In many cases, crime and violence are related to drug traffic, which is another problem that is affecting Costa Rica.

In fact, crime is increasingly becoming a very concerning problem. Costa Rica has to change this situation now because violence affecting the tranquility and development of our country.

 However, another real fact that we should not hide is the one we listen in the radio everyday, they say that   the government is not congruent and strong enough on the application of laws or penalties against criminals. It is common to hear that criminals can rob or even kill a person and the police just arrest them for few hours and next day criminals are back in the streets. Analyzing these conditions we can see how the law application is not congruent with the reality Costa Ricans are facing.

In these circumstances, in the last decades penalties have been hardened, it is important to mention the most relevant  changes first the maximum prison sentence  was raising from 25 years to 50 years and the maximum sentence for teenagers was also increasing. These penalties are some of the highest around the world, nevertheless, it is evident how   they are not enough to fight against crime and violence.

Finally, it is obvious that this country needs an urgent and effective reform in different areas, especially in the social field; had to hand with the juridical and political polices which need a quick restructuring.

 “We have the right to live in peace! 

Stop crime and violence!”

Written by Adriana Valverde.

Sources consulted:

Asamblea Legislativa. (1970). Código Penal. San José, Costa Rica.

Scott Oliver. (n.d.). Crimen En San José Costa Rica - Ofensores Reincidentes son un gran problema. Retrieved November 12, 2011, from http://www.casadelujo.com/public/827.cfm

Immigration in Costa Rica: Pross and Cons

Immigration is the act of coming into a country of which one is not a native for permanent residence. It is made for many reasons including economic, family, or political situations.

Immigration is one of the most controversial topics in our country and people have divided opinion on this subject. Many people feel that society benefits from immigrants as they take up jobs and contribute to the government through taxes. There are many people however, who feel that immigrants encroach on their lives and the attention of social services

The high concentration of immigrants workers in the agricultural industry keep food prices relatively low. These are some of the benefits of immigration. Immigrants are a source of low cost labor, but these cost reductions are also eventually passed on to the consumer, so host country citizens benefit from this as well.

Immigration also increases cultural diversity and increase the quality of life  of immigrants. For me it is the most important benefit or advantage that immigration provides, it brings immigrants better opportunities to go on and build their dreams and goals. I think that everyone deserves a chance at a better life.

However, immigration has resulted in many problems all around the world. For example, different types of diseases, increase in crime, racial discrimination, greater educational costs, greater poverty, and others can result.

I think this topic is very important because immigrants are usually the people that spend hard hours in the agricultural and construction industries and they make a country unique and diverse. Without them, half of the accomplishments and successes of some countries would not happen. I think that it is vital to the development of countries. In conclusion, the presence of the immigrant population is something that we should embrace as citizens.

Everyone has the right to have a better life!

Written by Adriana Valverde.

Sources consulted:

Dickerson Marla and Kimitch Rebecca. (2006, March 23). Costa Rica Seeks to Shut Its Doors to Illegal Migrants From Nicaragua. Retrieved November 30, 2011, from http://articles.latimes.com/2006/mar/23/world/fg-costa23

Bobei. (2011, September 6).  Benefits of Immigration. Retrieved November 30, 2011, from http://benefitof.net/benefits-of-immigration/

Donald J. Boudreaux. ( 1997, December). The Benefits of Immigration. Retrieved November 30, 2011, from http://www.thefreemanonline.org/columns/the-benefits-of-immigration/

Professional Ethics

As the video shows professional ethics may be defined as the science that deals with the rights, duties, and  values pertaining to each profession. It is closely related to the social responsibility, and its main objective is to make every conscious about their responsibility they have in each occupation.

It is relevant for every future lawyer to take ethics as way of life. It depends on us the orientation we give to our profession. Nobody may doubt of our ethics if we are creative, responsible, kind, intelligent, fair, and honest.

The ultimate goal of professional ethics is that each professional, no matter her or his occupation, doctors, engineers, lawyers, or teachers perform their duties the best they can, with no harm for others and with  no intention to get benefit for themselves.

As mentioned before, each of the professions has its own ethic code, and as a consequence it is mandatory to follow it. When a professional breaks such code her or his clients or superiors may punish her or him.


In summary, I can conclude that this topic is very relevant  because professional ethics is really importante to achieve success and be known as outstanding representatives in our field.

Written by Adriana Valverde

Sources consulted:

Definición.de. (2008). Definicion de Etica Profesional. Retrieved November 12, 2011, from http://definicion.de/etica-profesional/.