US CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
Criminal justice is defined as the group of practices, polices and courts designed to uphold social responsibility, deterring and mitigating crimes and enforcing penalties against those who are found guilty of committing crimes.
The system has three goals: doing justice, controlling crime, and preventing crime.
Doing justice
“Doing justice” is the foundation of the rules, procedures and institutions that make up the American criminal justice system. Fairness is essential. The system should have fair laws, investigate, judge and punish fairly. Thus, the principle of doing justice embodies three principles: (1) offenders will be held fully accountable for their actions; (2) the rights of people who have contact with the system will be protected, and (3) like offences will be treated alike.
Controlling crime
The criminal justice system is designed to control crime by arresting, prosecuting, convicting, and punishing those who disobey the law. Controlling crime must be carried out within the framework of law. The criminal law not only defines what is illegal but also outlines the rights of citizens and the procedures officials must use to achieve the system’s goals.
The goal of the crime control is actively pursued: police officers are walking a beat, patrol cars are racing down the streets, and probation officers are visiting clients. Taking action against wrongdoers helps to control crime, but the system must also attempt to keep crimes from happening.
Preventing crime
Crime can be prevented in various ways. Perhaps the most important is the deterrent effect of the actions of police, courts, and corrections. They not only punish those who violate the law but provide examples that will keep others from committing wrongful acts.
Crime prevention depends on the actions of criminal justice officials and citizens. Unfortunately, many people do not take any steps necessary to protect themselves and their property. They leave their homes and cars unlocked, do not use alarm systems, and walk in dangerous areas. Citizens must rely on the police to stop criminals; they cannot take the law into their own hands. Still, they must be actively engaged in preventing crime.
The main parts of the criminal justice system and their functions
The police, courts, and corrections are the main agencies of criminal justice.
Police
Police agencies have four major functions:
Courts
The United States has a dual court system that consists of a separate judicial system for each state in addition to a national system. Each system has its own series of courts; the Supreme Court is responsible for correcting certain errors made in all other court systems.
Courts are responsible for adjudication – determining whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty. In doing so, they must use fair procedures that will produce just, reliable decisions. Courts must also impose sentences that are appropriate to the behavior being punished.
Corrections
A variety of correctional agencies and programs on federal, state and local level are provided in the USA. Less than 30 percent of convicted offenders are in prisons and jails; the rest are being supervised in the community. Probation and parole have long been important aspects of corrections.
Learn the vocabulary
define | property | ||||||
criminal justice | alarm systems | ||||||
designed | dangerous areas | ||||||
uphold | rely on | ||||||
responsibility | engaged in | ||||||
enforce | citizens | ||||||
law enforcement | law enforcement agencies | ||||||
deter | major | ||||||
penalty | keeping the peace | ||||||
guilty | apprehending violators | ||||||
commit crimes | combating crime | ||||||
investigate crimes | provide | ||||||
solve crimes | providing social services | ||||||
prevent crimes | separate | ||||||
goal | in addition to | ||||||
doing justice | responsible for | ||||||
fair | adjudication | ||||||
fairly | defendant | ||||||
fairness | determine | ||||||
essential | use | ||||||
judge | fair procedures | ||||||
punish | certain | ||||||
embody | error | ||||||
accountable | just | ||||||
action | reliable | ||||||
like | decision | ||||||
treat alike | produce | ||||||
protect | level | ||||||
offence | convict | ||||||
offender | prison | ||||||
rights of people | jail | ||||||
various ways | supervise | ||||||
important | community | ||||||
courts | impose sentences | ||||||
corrections | probation | ||||||
wrongdoer | parole | ||||||
wrongful acts | important | ||||||
commit wrongful acts | combat crime | ||||||
depend on | appropriate to the behavior Дата добавления: 2015-09-30; просмотров: 21 | Нарушение авторских прав
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