Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice Study Questions

Criminal Justice Study Questions

Throughout the quarter we have referred to the criminal justice process as a system . In what ways can we consider our criminal process to be a system ? Be sure to provide a definition of system and specific examples that support applying that definition to the criminal justice process

In everyday conversation , the term system ' is often used , but little consideration is given to its actual definition . When defining a system in its most literal sense- a set of independent variables which could be

combined to perform given tasks , it goes without saying , as the class content has indicated , that the criminal process is a system for several key reasons . First , the criminal process contains within it steps and measures to both protect the rights of the accused and prosecute those found guilty , all the while protecting victim 's rights and trying to preserve the US Constitution

Keeping in mind the definition of system , and how the criminal process qualifies as a system , specific examples exist in the criminal justice process to illustrate how the process does in fact operate as a system Criminal justice provides a means by which the interests of the public at large-safety , decency , can be protected by giving law enforcement the power to question and detain criminal suspects , and take appropriate action to keep society functioning correctly . Likewise criminal justice affords the accused an opportunity to defend them , be judged by a jury of peers , and remain innocent until proven guilty . For those who ultimately are imprisoned for crimes , criminal justice provides standards to protect society from improperly released inmates and to keep inmates at an acceptable level of behavior for the protection of fellow inmates and corrections personnel

In the tradition of a system , criminal justice , through its many components , makes it possible for defendants , the public at large , and those who enforce the laws to be protected , yet be held to a certain level of conduct

We have devoted considerable attention to law , both substantive and procedural in our discussion of the justice process . The criminal justice system is a legal system . How does the law influence the day to day activities of the justice process . Be sure to cover criminal justice decisions in all major sub-components of the process

Superficially , law creates the standards by which the justice process should properly function and allows for the existence and practice of a proper justice system in the classic definition this being said , the law does influence the day to day activities of the justice process itself . For example , in an instance that is torn from the current headlines , much has been said and debated about the treatment of prisoners of war who are captured by American military forces in Iraq and elsewhere . The knee-jerk reaction would be to simply deal with these individuals as war combatants , allowing for American soldiers to function as judge , jury and executioner . However , the introduction of law into the mix...