Final answer:
The phrase 'standards of justice have not always been met' indicates that there were gaps in the fairness and equity of justice standards applied in the legal system. Historical and contemporary issues demonstrate that justice standards can be influenced by social, political, and legal factors, resulting in inequitable outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase "standards of justice have not always been met" implies that there were lapses in meeting justice standards. This means that the application of laws and punishment has not always been fair or equitable. In considering the complexities of justice, it's acknowledged that a legal system's goal is to enforce laws in a manner that is deemed equitable and in line with a society's moral and legal standards. However, societal traditions, politics, or interpretations of law can hinder the consistent application of justice, resulting in cases where fairness or equity is not maintained.
For example, historically, social justice has aimed for the equitable distribution of opportunities, resources, and rights, but this has not always been realized in practice, leading to contested issues such as segregation in schools or the varying application of legal rights across different demographics. The concept of equitable justice is reflected in the expectation that similar cases should be treated similarly, an ideal that is sometimes not fulfilled due to the 'justice gap', where individuals may not have access to justice and due process as intended.