Compare and Contrast Policy Paper

Compare and Contrast Policy Paper
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Compare and Contrast Policy Paper
Introduction
The construction of two models by Herbert Parker in 1964 revolutionized the criminal justice system because most ideas in the system originated from the models (Roach, 1999, p: 671). This is because the models provide a useful way for coping up with the complex criminal justice process. What models did Herbert Parker introduce? According to Barkan and Bryjak (2011, p: 21), Parker introduced the “due process model and the crime control model in the system.” This paper uses the crime control and the due model as in place of the aforementioned models respectively. The models in question are still important to the criminal system today because they help in judging positive or actual operation of the system. Moreover, the models provide guidelines on the values used to influence decisions in criminal law. Clearly, the two models are important to practitioners in the legal profession. Thus, understanding the differences between the can help practitioners in the profession understand the models clearly. As a result, this paper compares and contrasts the two models.
The Crime Control Model
It is important to understand the scope behind the two models prior to comparing and contrasting them. It follows that the crime model argues that controlling crime is the most crucial aspect in the criminal justice system. The key function of the criminal justice system is to control crime by arresting and convicting lawbreakers. Further, the model argues that failure to control crime results in the breakdown of public order because citizens will lack an incentive to maintain law and order. According to the crime control model, efficiency is crucial for an operational procedure of the criminal process. In addition, Hemmens et al., (2010, p: 13) reveals that the model is appropriate for societies with high rates of crime. Thus, it emphasizes on speed, which relies on uniformity, informality, and finality. In simple terms, finality means prosecutors and police must scrutinize cases in order to separate the probably guilty from the probably innocent. Thus, the crime model is efficient from the apprehension of criminals to detention of criminals.
The Due process Model
The due model sees the criminal process as an obstacle course (Hemmens et al., 2010, p: 13). This owes to the reality that every step of the model is designed to create hurdles in criminal cases. It is notable that the model also stresses reliability and minimization of errors in the criminal process. Most importantly, the model acknowledges the need to control crime in order to maintain public order. According to Hemmens et al., (2010, p: 14), the due model must use measures that are adversarial and adjudicative. Simply put, cases against the accused must be heard by a fair tribunal in public. Further, the case can only be evaluated after the accused gains the chance to discredit the evidence presented against him/her. The model also proposes that it is important to allow constant scrutiny in order to allow previously detained criminals to have the opportunity of arguing their innocence.
The Role of Law Enforcement Officers
It is notable that the two models under discussion have similarities as well as differences. For instance, the crime model reveals that law enforcement officers have a duty to screen suspects with the aim of separating the probably guilty form the probably innocent. Thus, the crime mode...