Criminal Justice is the system of practices and institutions of governments directed at upholding social control, deterring, and mitigating crime, and sanctioning those who violate laws with criminal penalties, and rehabilitation efforts. The Criminal Justice System consists of three parts: law enforcement, adjudication, and corrections. In the Criminal Justice System, these agencies work together under the rule of law and maintaining the rule of law within society.
LAW ENFORCEMENT The first to have contact with the offender is the police officer or law enforcement, who investigates a wrong-doing and makes an arrest. When you have a warrant, law enforcement agencies, have the power to use force, also other forms of legal coercion. Police departments of a state are authorized to use their power in their state, or a defined area. Law enforcement’s biggest concern is keeping the peace and enforcing the law, based on their jurisdiction.
COURT
The courts are where the dispute is settled and justice is administered. There are many different and important people in a court room, they are referred to as the courtroom work group. These people consist of, the judge, the prosecutor, and the defense attorney. The judge is elected and knowledgeable in the law, and whose main concern is to administer the legal proceedings and offer a final decision. The prosecutor is a lawyer who brings charges against a person. It is their job to explain to the court what crime was committed and to show what evidence has been found to incriminate this person. The prosecutor and plaintiff is not the same person. The prosecutor is employed by the state to make accusations in criminal proceedings, the plaintiff in the complaining party in a civil proceeding. The defense attorney counsels the accused on the legal process. The accused has the right to make final decisions, including whether to testify, accept a plea deal, or demand a