Review Assignment: Opinion Piece (Essay)

Write at least 200 words on your opinion of the legal status regarding the Dark Arts. Should they stay legal or should it be a crime to use them? Why or why not? There is no penalty for going over the word limit.

Student Response

I personally think the practice of Dark Arts should be more regulated by law. The Ministry of Magic should set more limits regarding the use of Dark spells, particularly the curses. Jinxes may not be concerned, since they don't cause real harm. The use of hexes should not be punished neither, except maybe if a person uses it on a regular basis. I think the use of curses should only be allowed in a context of defense, for example if you're attacked by a dark wizard. People that use curses should be punished, even slightly, to prevent them from doing it again. For example, you could seize their wand for a limited period. 

The punishment must not be to severe: people that used a curse once should not be put into the Azkaban Prison, but be educated to avoid recidivism. This system would be there to protect people, not to make them afraid of going to prison if they use the wrong spell.

A problem that could appear is that the fact that Dark Arts are more regulated could incite some people to practice them, just for the thrill of illegality. I hope that witches and wizards know that using magic to harm people will also harm them by corrupting them.