Introduction to Criminal Justice Essay Example
Running head: CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM PAPER
Criminal Justice System
Michael P Barros
University of Phoenix
Introduction to Criminal Justice
CJA/204
David Vialpando
July 5, 2011
Criminal Justice System Paper
During the next few paragraphs we will discuss the components of the criminal justice system and the criminal justice process. We will also discuss the definition of crime and its relationship to the law. Finally we will discuss the government structure as it applies to the criminal justice system.
This definition of a crime comes from (Merriam-Webster On-line Dictionary) and reads; “Crime: an act or the commission of an act that is forbidden or the omission of a duty that is commanded by a public law and that makes the offender liable to punishment by that law; especially: a gross violation of the law”. There are several definitions of crime, but there all consistent for the most part.
People who commit crimes are held to answer for the crimes they are accused of. For this, we must have a judicial system in place that is fair and balanced. Although the person accused of committing the crime is sometimes judged before he’s even gone to court, he must be allowed certain rights and due process. Those rights must not be violated prior to a trial. It’s this system that makes American what we are. Sometimes there are cases that make us feel that the person being tried should just be executed or sent to jail, because the media has basically tried and convicted the person prior to trial. This was evident in the “Casey Anthony” murder trial. Most Americans and the media had convicted her prior to trial. She was found not guilty earlier today by twelve jurors. Is the system fair?
Who knows, but this is the reason, lots of people believe there should be professional jurors for high profile cases like this. On the other hand our judicial system has been around for a long time and delivers in most cases a fair system of government that protects the
Criminal Justice System
Michael P Barros
University of Phoenix
Introduction to Criminal Justice
CJA/204
David Vialpando
July 5, 2011
Criminal Justice System Paper
During the next few paragraphs we will discuss the components of the criminal justice system and the criminal justice process. We will also discuss the definition of crime and its relationship to the law. Finally we will discuss the government structure as it applies to the criminal justice system.
This definition of a crime comes from (Merriam-Webster On-line Dictionary) and reads; “Crime: an act or the commission of an act that is forbidden or the omission of a duty that is commanded by a public law and that makes the offender liable to punishment by that law; especially: a gross violation of the law”. There are several definitions of crime, but there all consistent for the most part.
People who commit crimes are held to answer for the crimes they are accused of. For this, we must have a judicial system in place that is fair and balanced. Although the person accused of committing the crime is sometimes judged before he’s even gone to court, he must be allowed certain rights and due process. Those rights must not be violated prior to a trial. It’s this system that makes American what we are. Sometimes there are cases that make us feel that the person being tried should just be executed or sent to jail, because the media has basically tried and convicted the person prior to trial. This was evident in the “Casey Anthony” murder trial. Most Americans and the media had convicted her prior to trial. She was found not guilty earlier today by twelve jurors. Is the system fair?
Who knows, but this is the reason, lots of people believe there should be professional jurors for high profile cases like this. On the other hand our judicial system has been around for a long time and delivers in most cases a fair system of government that protects the