Criminal Justice Unit 1

what are the 4 purposes of criminal justice

1. Maintaining Public Order

2. Ensuring Justice

3. Upholding the Rule of Law

4. Rehabilitating Offenders

what is the role of Law Enforcement

maintaining public order

patrol officers

patrol neighborhoods, respond to calls for service, conduct traffic stops, engage with community

detectives

gather evidence, interview witness, and work to solve cases

investigators

analyze crime scenes, gather evidence, interrogate suspects

narcotics

drug investigators SWA

SWAT

special weapons and tactics- respond to high risk situations

K9 Units

use trained dogs Cyy

Cybercrime Units

investigate online crimes

what is the role of courts

ensuring justice

judges

oversee trials, make legal decisions, determine sentences for those found guilty

prosecutors

represent government, presenting evidence against the accused to prove guilt

defense attorneys

present the accused and defend them

what is the role of corrections

to ensure public safety

incarceration

being confined in prison

punishment

serve as a means of punishing individuals for unlawful actions

rehabilitation

focusing on rehabilitating offenders and providing education

reintegration

supports the transition of offenders back into the community through parole, probation, etc.

4th amendment

protects against unlawful search and seizures

5th amendment

Miranda Rights-right to a lawyer, right to remain silent, etc.

6th amendment

right to a speedy and public trial with an impartial jury

8th amendment

no excessive bail nor excessive fines or cruel and unusual punishments

what are the elements of a crime

actus reus, mens rea, factual and legal causation

actus rea

the physical act that constitutes a crime

mens rea

mental state/intention behind a crime

factual causation

would the harm have happened if the person hadn't done what they did?

legal causation

this considers if the harm was a direct+forseeable result of the persons actions