Criminal Justice Flashcards, test questions and answers

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What is Criminal Justice?

Criminal justice is the system of practices and institutions of governments directed at upholding social control, deterring and mitigating crime, or sanctioning those who violate laws with criminal penalties and rehabilitation. It involves law enforcement, prosecution, defense lawyers, courts and corrections. The purpose of criminal justice is to ensure public safety while respecting individual rights. The primary components of the criminal justice system are law enforcement (police), adjudication (courts) and corrections (prison). Law enforcement officers investigate crimes, conduct searches for evidence, make arrests, issue citations for violations of law and testify in court proceedings. Courts handle legal matters such as determining guilt or innocence in a trial process involving prosecutors representing the government against defendants represented by defense attorneys. Corrections involve punishment through incarceration in prison or jail facilities as well as other forms such as probation or community service. In addition to these three main components there are also several other aspects that contribute to a successful functioning criminal justice system including policy makers who develop legislation; intelligence agencies which gather data on potential threats; forensic scientists who analyze physical evidence from crime scenes; victims’ advocates who help victims cope with their trauma; private security firms which offer protection services for businesses; juvenile justice programs which address youth offenders differently than adult offenders; courthouses which provide courtrooms for trials; police academies where officers receive training; prosecutors offices where charges are made against suspects ; bail bondsmen that assist people charged with crimes access funds to post bail until their trial date arrives ; parole boards responsible for making decisions about releasing prisoners on parole from prison sentences early ; research centers that study trends related to crime prevention strategies ; correctional facilities used to house convicted criminals awaiting sentencing or serving time after conviction ; courts administration departments tasked with facilitating court operations efficiently ; mental health professionals providing treatment options for individuals suffering from mental disorders often connected to violent behavior among others . All these segments work together hand in hand within the criminal justice system framework towards an effective execution of its mandate without compromising core values such as human dignity , respect , fairness , due process etc . Overall , it can be said that the criminal justice system is essential component of modern society aimed at protecting citizens freedoms while promoting accountability amongst all participants involved in enforcing laws .