The Dark Knight: Why Jim Gordon Kept Harvey Dent's Image Untarnished

Preservation of Hope and Order

In The Dark Knight, Harvey Dent was a symbol of hope and the best chance Gotham had at defeating organized crime legally and morally. His transformation into Two-Face and subsequent crimes would have shattered that hope and undone all the progress made in the fight against crime based on Dent's work and image. By keeping Dent's image untarnished, Jim Gordon and Batman aimed to preserve the hope and spirit of law, order, and justice that Dent had inspired in Gotham's citizens and its legal system.

Avoiding Conviction Reversals

The concern about potential conviction reversals is valid. Dent had been instrumental in the legal battle against organized crime, resulting in numerous convictions. If it were revealed that he had turned into a criminal, those convictions could be called into question potentially leading to the release of dangerous criminals back onto Gotham's streets. By maintaining the integrity of Dent's public image, they safeguarded those convictions and kept the criminals behind bars.

Sacrificing Batman’s Image

Batman and Gordon chose to let Batman assume the blame for Dent's actions because Batman represents an idea rather than a person. As a vigilante operating outside the law, Batman can embody the darkness and bear the burden of being hunted, preserving the legal and moral integrity of Gotham's institutions. This decision underlines the theme of the hero Gotham needs versus the hero it deserves.

The Joker's Influence

Laying the blame for Dent's downfall on the Joker might seem straightforward, but the Joker's goal was to prove that anyone could be corrupted under the right circumstances. Admitting Dent's fall from grace would have validated the Joker's nihilistic view, undermining societal morale even further. By keeping Dent's image clean, they denied the Joker this final victory.

The Legal Implications

From a legal standpoint, the decision to let Batman take the blame is a calculated risk. If a District Attorney, a police officer, or anyone in law enforcement or prosecution is caught committing crimes, it triggers certain procedures including a review of every previous case they have ever worked on. This would be seized upon by the mob's lawyers who would argue, however wrongly, that Dent's crimes show he couldn't be trusted and their clients should be released on bail while their cases are being reviewed. In turn, the mob would use these opportunities to get their hands on any and all evidence used to convict them, including silencing witnesses and destroying evidence.

The mob's lawyers would have a valid point: if justice is only as strong as its flawed human actors, then revealing Dent's crimes could put all their convictions at risk. Even if Harvey is eventually cleared of prior wrongdoing, the mob would still find ways to use this to their advantage. Gordon himself would likely be seriously grilled for working with someone as unstable as a maniac. If it came to light that two of the cops in his unit were corrupt, which it almost certainly would, the situation would become even more precarious.

Conclusion

The decision to preserve Dent's image, while morally and ethically complex, was made in the best interest of Gotham. By protecting the image of a symbol of hope, maintaining the integrity of convictions, and preserving the morale of Gotham's institutions, the city was left in a better position to continue its fight against crime. The fine line between good and evil, and the true hero that Gotham needs, is a theme that runs throughout The Dark Knight.