Ethics in Criminal Justice
ETHICS IN CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
CRJ 306 – INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE
KRISTA L. JONES
PROFESSOR COURTNEY SEVERINO
July 29, 2013
Ethics in Criminal Procedure and Criminal Justice Actions and inactions all have moral implications; they are either right or wrong depending on the individual and what s/he believes or feels is right or wrong. Each person’s conduct can and does have implications and ramifications. For every action there is an equal and/or opposite reaction not only for the average person but also for professionals; especially in the area of law enforcement, criminal justice, and criminal procedure. Just discussed is known as moral philosophy. Ethics can be defined in several ways. However, to give it a working definition, it can be defined as “The rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class of human actions or a particular group, culture, etc.” (dictionary.com, 2013). Another definition, albeit not a working one, is: “The branch of philosophy dealing with values relating to human conduct, with respect to the rightness and wrongness of certain actions and to the goodness and badness of the motives and ends of such actions” (dictionary.com, 2013). The significance of ethics in criminal justice and criminal procedure is a complicated issue. There are moral implications to every action no matter who a person is or what their profession. However, where profession is concerned, every profession has a code of ethics. From doctors to veterinary medicine, professionals are expected to hold to and act accordingly to certain standards. The criminal justice system, and the criminal procedures with this system, is probably the most important profession there is, along with physicians, and, accordingly, they should abide by the highest ethical standards. The United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights were created to limit the government’s power in the dispensing of punishment for criminal
AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
CRJ 306 – INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE
KRISTA L. JONES
PROFESSOR COURTNEY SEVERINO
July 29, 2013
Ethics in Criminal Procedure and Criminal Justice Actions and inactions all have moral implications; they are either right or wrong depending on the individual and what s/he believes or feels is right or wrong. Each person’s conduct can and does have implications and ramifications. For every action there is an equal and/or opposite reaction not only for the average person but also for professionals; especially in the area of law enforcement, criminal justice, and criminal procedure. Just discussed is known as moral philosophy. Ethics can be defined in several ways. However, to give it a working definition, it can be defined as “The rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class of human actions or a particular group, culture, etc.” (dictionary.com, 2013). Another definition, albeit not a working one, is: “The branch of philosophy dealing with values relating to human conduct, with respect to the rightness and wrongness of certain actions and to the goodness and badness of the motives and ends of such actions” (dictionary.com, 2013). The significance of ethics in criminal justice and criminal procedure is a complicated issue. There are moral implications to every action no matter who a person is or what their profession. However, where profession is concerned, every profession has a code of ethics. From doctors to veterinary medicine, professionals are expected to hold to and act accordingly to certain standards. The criminal justice system, and the criminal procedures with this system, is probably the most important profession there is, along with physicians, and, accordingly, they should abide by the highest ethical standards. The United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights were created to limit the government’s power in the dispensing of punishment for criminal
References: Banks, C.. (2004). The importance of ethics in criminal justice. Criminal Justice Ethics Theory and Practice (3-17). Retrieved on July 29, 2013 from www.sagepub.com/upm-data/4031_Banks_Chapter_1_Proof.pdf Canton, R.. (2009). NONSENSE UPON STILTS? HUMAN RIGHTS, THE ETHICS OF PUNISHMENT AND THE VALUES OF PROBATION1. British Journal of Community Justice, 7(1), 5-22. Retrieved on July 27, 2013 from http://search.proquest.com/docview/203693315?accountid=32521 Cotter, M.. (1999-2013). The Purpose of Equal Opportunity Criminal Justice. Retrieved on July 29, 2013 from www.ehow.com/about_6374148_purpose-of-equal-opportunity-criminal-justice.html Dictionary.com. (2013). Ethics. Retrieved on July 29, 2013 from dictionary.reference.com/browse/ethics Writing, A.. (1999-2013). Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice. Retrieved on July 29, 2013 from www.ehow.com/list_6028332_ethical-issuel-criminal-justice.html