The Criminal Justice System: My Future

Running head: THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM The Criminal Justice System: My Future Name University Course Tutor Date Introduction There are numerous insights that I have gained in the course of learning about the criminal justice system. It is a dynamic venture that is under the cocoon of criminology as an academic discipline. Under criminology, the criminal justice system is configured as a fundamental means of understanding the dynamics of state and government operations as it relates to governance especially in the phase of democracy. This paper will talk about what I have learned about the criminal justice system. It will create a connection between this and my potential future within the system. What I have learned about the Criminal Justice System Perhaps the security and governance of a country are pegged on the incredible role played by the criminal justice system. It is a set of institutions rather than a single entity and the functions of each institution fall in a continuum to make what is known as the justice system. Prevention and management of all crimes (domestic and international) are facilitated by the system (Dammer & Albanese, 2011). If crime was pest in a host, the criminal justice system would be construed as the pesticide that the host (government/or state) uses to deal with the pest. It is conceivable that the existing order in social, political and economic domains is the product of criminal justice system. The government largely depends on this system for execution and implementation of its mandate as well as decisions. Ideally, criminal justice is the system in which crimes and criminals are detected, detained, tried and punished. It is a “term used to explain and understand all of the agencies whose goal is to control crime” (Dammer & Albanese, 2011, p. 2) It describes an amalgam of institutions that complement each other. According to National Center for Victims of Crime (2012, para 1), criminal justice system “is the set of agencies and processes established by governments to control crime and impose penalties on those who violate laws.” Thus, in law enforcement, criminal justice system is a tool that is imminent and inevitable. The criminal justice system has evolved to respond to the emerging trends and nature of crime. Crime has come to be understood as a social problem. Thus, it has necessitated society or governmental-based interventions. Although the criminal justice system may work differently depending on the jurisdiction that is in charge, I have learned that it is it has similar elements or components (Terrill, 2013). The components of a criminal justice system reinforce the functions of each other and can be understood in a bottom-up approach. Although there are three main components of the criminal justice system (law enforcement, court system and corrections), there are other sub-components that stem from the tree. These are prosecutions and defense attorneys. At the basic level (though not least), there is law enforcement. This component is charged with the responsibility of investigating crimes and gathering and protecting evidence (BJS, n.d). Officers take reports for crimes that happen within their area of jurisdiction. In this connection, police officers (and intelligence agencies) conduct a search and seizure of suspected offenders. Using the evidence they gather, they give testimony in court proceeding in regard to the crimes (Alarid & Carmen 2011). If the need arises, they may conduct sentinel investigations. This component serves as the epicenter where tremors criminal justice is emanate. The process of crime management perhaps starts from this component. I have also learned about another component: courts system. The courts apparently carry over from where law enforcement stops. The courts serve as pathways through which disputes are settled and where justice is eventually dispensed. The c...