Todd A. Harris
CJA204
05/16/2011
Ryann Gerber
In this essay we are to learn the definition of crime and the five components of the United States Judicial System. The definition of crime is and unlawful act performed by someone by full intention, when there are firm laws that govern those acts of crime are not allowed.
There are five components of the criminal justice system. If the crime cannot be resolved through local law enforcement, it progresses to the next step. The five components are the following:
The first is Local Law Enforcement which local citizens point out the crime to the law enforcement. They are the main force that brings criminals into the criminal justice system. For the more severe and dramatic crimes the police turn over the crime to the court system for a fair trial.
Second in the Court System where once the offender has entered into legal system he then forgoes a criminal trial. The initial law enforcement officer presents to the court the evedince they have at hand. Then the prosecuter decides if he finds the crime worthy of persecution in court.
Third component is making a Court Case where it is brought to judge, then the judge decides if a punishment can be issued by him if at all, and if crime is more severe to be moved onto trial with the grand jury, therefore the criminal pleads “Not Guilty to move onto the trial”
The fourth is Trail With Grand Jury which is used in the court of law to hear both sides of case and help determine guilt and punishment. Which a jury of peers oversee the case and they decide on guilt. Having a jury of peers oversee and rule the court is important to the rights of the criminal because the jury is a third party uninvolved in law enforcement or the lives of the victim or accused.
The fifth and final component of the justice system is the Decision and Punishment. Once the jury has heard the case, and make a decision of whether the offender is