Criminal Justice System Notes

Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB)

An independent statutory body.
Investigates and takes action to deny and deprive criminals of assets acquired through illegal means.
Identifies, seizes, and recovers assets that are the proceeds of criminal activity (e.g., jewellery, property, handbags).
Established by the Criminal Asset's Bureau Act 1996 following the murders of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe and Journalist Veronica Guerin.
Focuses on tackling serious and organised criminal activity, including drug trafficking, theft, and fraud.

A descriptive letter written by the victim or someone impacted by the offence.
Explains how the crime affected them, describing emotions, trauma, short- and long-term effects.
The victim can make recommendations to the court about the sentence and anything they would like to tell the court.
Read in the sentencing court and should contain the following elements:
- Impact of the crime (psychological, financial, physical, etc.)
- The harm done to family relationships (loss, etc.)
- Services required by the victim because of the crime (medical, psychological, etc.)
- The need for restitution
- The victim's opinion of an appropriate sentence for the offender.

Two-step procedure:
1. Decides what the sentence should be.
2. Reduces that sentence considering any mitigating or excusing factors.
The judge considers:
- Whether or not they have pleaded guilty to the offence.
- The facts.
- Criminal record.
- Treatment that may help or reform the offender.
- Aggravating factors.
- Character and age.
- Impact on the victim.

An approach to justice that focuses on repairing harm caused by crime, rather than solely punishing the offender.
Involves bringing together victims, offenders, and community members to address the impact of the crime and find ways to make amends.
Not always suitable for every victim, offender, or offence, but effective in cases where it is suitable.
Objectives:
- To meet the needs of victims of crime.
- Challenge offenders to put right the harm they have caused.
- To prevent further offending.
Promotes and facilitates partnership and a greater understanding and co-operation between communities, volunteers, and statutory sectors and organisations directly involved in the criminal justice process.

A meeting involving a young person who has offended, members of their family, the victim, and relevant others (e.g., teacher, sport coach).
The meeting will discuss the consequences the offence has had on the victim, community, and offenders' family.
Explores ways for the young person to take responsibility for their consequences.
Usually takes place in the probation office and will come up with an agreed plan to prevent them from reoffending in the future.
Ordered by the court and run by the young person's probation.
Should be max 2 hours.
The meeting is divided into 4 sections:
1. Information giving – introductions are made and meeting format outlined.
2. Restoration – allows victim to express the impact of the offence and facilitates the offender to account for behaviour and make amends.
3. Family time – young person and their family then meet and draft an action plan designed to keep them out of trouble.
4. Action plan – the draft action plan is brought back into the group for discussion, agreement, and submission to court for approval.
If the action plan is not completed, the court will deal with the case in another way.

The probation services work lies in the community where inclusion is a key principle.
Encouraging offenders to participate in these groups is an effective way of reintegration into society.

Become involved in the criminal justice process between the trial and the sentencing phases.
Provide the Judge with a pre-sanction assessment to help him or her decide on an appropriate sentence.
Where the Judge decides that a non-custodial sentence involving supervision or community service is appropriate, the Probation Service will ensure that the Court Order is implemented.

Place emphasis on the strengths, abilities, and coping strategies of a service user helping empower users.
Support individuals.
Improve individuals' wellbeing and life

Focus is on the wellbeing and support of prisoners and the protection of society.
Roles:
- Responsible for the safe and secure custody of prisoners.
- Collaboration with other services for smooth reintegration to society.
- Maintaining order.
- Preventing reoffending.

The provision of a policing service to the whole community through a partnership based, proactive, problem-solving style of policing.
Reduce fear of crime
Prevent crime
Promote inter-agency problem solving
Improve overall quality of life

Builds trust and communication by acting as a bridge between communities and organizations such as an garda siochána.
They address concerns, mediate conflicts, and promote safety, encouraging community involvement.
They also host/attend events and are the primary point of contact for community members.

Works to prevent youth crime by supporting, guiding, and diverting young offenders from the formal justice system.
Liaises with families, schools, and services to assess needs, offer interventions, and promote rehabilitation, aimed at reducing reoffending and encouraging positive behaviour in young people.