CJ 111- Intro to Criminal Justice- What is Criminal Justice

personal freedoms

-increased recognition of individual rights

-limited police powers

-focus on due process

public freedoms

-desire for less crime

-increased police powers

-focus on crime control

justice

fairness and equality

social justice

fairness in all aspects of life

civil justice

fairness between people, business, and government

criminal justice

fairness concerning criminal law and all those involved

equality

everyone receiving the same treatment and resources, regardless of their differing needs or circumstances

equity

all about fairness, providing different individuals with the specific resources and support they need to reach an equal outcome

Does justice always occur?

no

Is justice a system?

yes

What does consensus say about the justice system?

-components do work together

-clear entry, process, and exit

-common goals

What does conflict say about the justice system?

-components do not work together

-multiple entry and exit points with no clear process

-competing interests

key figure in CJ: August Vollmer

-started his career in 1920’s at the University of California at Berkley

-police chief for Berkley, CA

-practice oriented, on the job

-multidisciplinary

-1967 President’s Commission Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice

American Criminal Justice Process in terms of Policing

Step 1: Crime is committed
Step 2: Investigation is conducted
Step 3: Arrest Warrant Application
Step 4: Arrest and Booking
Step 5: First Appearance
Step 6: Preliminary Hearing
Step 7: Information or Indictment
Step 8: Arraignment
Step 9: Adjudication and Sentencing
Step 10: Presentencing Investigation
Step 11: Confinement or Suspension
Step 12: Re-entry
Step 12.5: Recidivism

Step 1: Crime is Committed

may or may not be reported to police

Step 2: Investigation is conducted

if police respond, typically they’ll conduct an investigation

Step 3: Arrest Warrant Application

once suspect is identified and enough evidence exists, we can apply for a warrant

Step 4: Arrest and Booking

once arrested, suspect is processes and sent to either court (hearing) or jail (holding/waiting)

Step 5: First Appearance

where the charges are read and bail is determined

Step 6: Preliminary Hearing

court examines if sufficient evidence exists to continue case

Step 7: Information or Indictment

determining whether or not to go to trialA

Step 8: Arraignment

defendant hears charges (again) and enters a plea

Step 9: Adjudication and Sentencing

determination of legal guilt and sentencing for crime

Step 10: Presentencing Investigation

probation officers gather information and determines an appropriate sentence

Step 11: Confinement or Supervision

defendant is sentenced to jail/prison or is released and supervised in/by the community

Step 12: Re-entry

re-integrating individual into society post sentence completion

Step 12.5: Recidivism

re-offending (not in the process but could happen)