Criminal Justice 101 Module 1 Discussion PDF

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The Three Branches of the Criminal Justice System Emily Hicks JUS 101 Dr. Albert January 9, 2020

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Three Branches of the Criminal Justice System Prompt: Review the Criminal Justice Process flowchart on page 10 in the e-text. This chart shows the various paths a person can travel once he or she enters the system. The chart is separated by each branch of the criminal justice system. Make note of the various “arms” of the chart. There is no one way to navigate through the system. As explained, the criminal justice system is separated into three branches: law enforcement, courts, and corrections. What is each branch responsible for? How do they interact with one another? Explain how each of these pieces of the system work to complement the others. What would happen if one branch of the system were broken? Describe how the malfunction of one criminal justice system branch would affect the operation of the other two branches. In responding to your peers’ posts, do you think one part of the system is more important than another? Is it possible for one part of the system to change without influencing the other systems?

Hello, everyone! My name is Emily Hicks. I am really excited about this course and learning more about the criminal justice system with all of you. I was overwhelmed, honestly, when I first looked at the flow chart in our textbook (Fagin, J. A., 2017). The three branches contain many arms to navigate through in the flowchart, and it is easy to see why it says there is no one way to use when navigating the system. As I read through the pages in chapters one and two, I quickly understood how all three branches of the system depend on one another for the rights of the citizens to be met correctly. The police, courts and correctional branches need and rely on everyone to do their part in the

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system correctly and justly. The first branch, law enforcement, is tasked with bringing charges to someone who violates the law and protecting the public. This branch is very important because everyone working for the police should enforce the laws in the same manner that protects the rights of every citizen. It is also important the police recognize all of the elements that surround the crime so they know who the suspect is and which jurisdiction the crime took place in. I think the entry to the system by law enforcement is a very big part of the criminal justice system. The second branch, the courts, are tasked with making sure the alleged offender has their due process rights properly met and if they have enough evidence to pursue prosecution. The title of the government official responsible for the offender being charged and prosecuted varies from state to state. They could be prosecuting attorney, state’s attorney, or district attorney (Fagin, J. A., 2017). If this prosecutor decides not to charge the offender because of a lack of evidence, then the police have no authority to keep the defendant charged with the crime. This second branch is clearly very important in the criminal justice system. I can also see how vital it is that law officials and the court officials integrate and work together when someone is charged with a crime. If there is a trial, the judge is liable for ensuring the defendant receives a fair and impartial trial. Lastly, the third branch is the corrections. Correctional officials are accountable for enforcing the punishment after someone is convicted of a crime and securing them in the correctional department to serve their sentence. This last part of the system can be short or lengthy depending on the crime and other factors. If one part of the system was broken, then it would ultimately affect the entire

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structure of the justice system. For example, if the correctional branch was broken in our system then most of the criminals would not be rehabilitated properly and could become repeat offenders. I think the corrections department is more important for the ending of crimes then what is currently realized. It is crucial that all three branches in the criminal justice system evolve as social behaviors, interactions, technology, public concerns, and other influencers evolve. Thank you for reading my post! Replies from other student Emily, great post, I was reading I noticed you said that you think corrections is the most important part, I happen to agree with that statement. I would ask that do you think that corrections departments hear in the United States are serving their purpose? I have noticed certain studies show that the jails or “corrections” are over crowded and criminals are just getting pushed through the system. Do you think it throws off the whole system? Just some things to think about.

good luck with the rest of the class

thank you

James Paul

Hello, James Paul! I wanted to tell you I enjoyed reading your post in this week’s discussion. I was surprised to find that you also mention in your post that the correction’s department is very important because of repeat offenders. I agree with you and for some of the same reasons. I do not think we are doing a decent job helping criminals with changing their lives after they finish their sentences. I also think, sometimes in this country, we do not treat them decent and fair

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while they are in our custody. You asked me a question in your reply to my post about what I think, and that is why I am freely giving you my thoughts on the corrections branch. If that branch is supposed to help rehabilitate criminals, then no, I do not think we are very successful at it. What do you think about their success? I also do think this throws off our entire system. Then again, all of the branches affect each other sometimes in a good way and sometimes not. Thank you for replying to my discussion post and for sharing with us this week! I look forward to reading more of your posts!

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Reference Fagin, J. A. CJ 2017. [VitalSource Bookshelf]. Retrieved from https://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780134548906/...