Criminal Justice

Perfect Criminal Justice System

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Abstract

This research analyzes the present criminal justice system of America and also analyzes its lacunae . Further , it also compares the various criminal system around the world and suggest the reforms to be undertaken by USA to restructure its existing criminal justice system to offer just and equitable justice to its citizens and to become a perfect criminal justice system

Perfect Criminal Justice System

As of date , U .S .A is witnessing a thirty -year low crime rate

. This has not been achieved by accident . Minimizing crime connotes reducing number of criminal on the streets . This demands continuous , serious penalties that deter criminals to commit a crime . Thus , a consistent and tough Criminal Justice Policy [CJS] has assisted to minimize crimes now and has made Criminal Justice System not only fair but also far less arbitrary . [Mateja , 2004 ,

.319]

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics [BJS] the rate of major crime in USA as listed in the following table have dramatically reduced from 1993 to 2002

Nature of Crime of decline

Robbery 63

Rape and sexual assault 56

Simple assault 47

Aggravated assault 64

Household burglary 52

Property theft 49

Motor Vehicle theft 53 Thus , Department of Justice of USA is of the opinion that a severe penalty establishes that there are real punishments for lawless or predatory behavior . USA 's corrections and sentencing policy is based on the policies like considering every crime gravely , treating every criminal with just and every victim sympathetically . [Mateja , 2004 br

.320]

Criminal Justice System in USA consists the following

Police

Criminal Courts

Correctional institutions like prisons including juvenile justice agencies [Katel , 2008]

Criminal Justice system functions may be illustrated as follows

The System The Process

Agencies of the crime control

1 .Police 1 .Contact

2 .Investigation

3 .Arrest

4 .Custody

2 .Prosecution and Defense : 1 .Complaint /Charging

2 .Grand jury / preliminary hearing

3 .Arraignment

4 .Bail /detention

5 .Plea negotiations

3 .Court 1 .Adjudication

2 .Disposition

3 .Appeal /post conviction remedies

4 .Corrections 1 .Correction

2 .Release

3 .Postrelease [Sigel , 2004]

It is to be noted that criminal justice is different from criminal law Criminal law is one which deals with specific behaviors that are forbidden by and punishable under law . Likewise , criminology also differs from criminal justice as it deals with scientific study of the nonlegal features of crime and also with delinquency , including their reasons , prevention and correction

The origin of the criminal justice in the USA can be attributed in the latter half of the 20th century . Further , the Supreme Court of the United States has slowly enlarged the privileges of the criminal defendants on the fundamentals of the U .S constitution 's due process clause . It is to be observed the gap between what was legally demanded and expected and actual performance of the Criminal Justice Agencies started to expand

U .S Department of Justice 's division namely Law Enforcement Assistance Administration , during 1979 offered grants...