Criminal Justice System in the United States

Criminal Justice System in the United States

In today's world, it seems that crime simply cannot be fully stamped out. Yet, that is the essential goal of the field of criminal justice. In fact, criminal justice is the pursuit of investigating crimes, as well as trying and punishing those criminals who commit them. The very essence of criminal justice is the need to protect society from crime that may otherwise harm those within it. This is what makes criminal justice such a crucial element to today's modern world.

The definition of crime is not as cut and dry as many might think. Essentially, the modern dictionary states its definition "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" (Encyclopedia Britannica 2012). Crime is essentially an act of behavior that deviates from the pre-accepted norms of society. It is therefore punishable, which is handled primarily by the criminal justice structure that is put in place through our modern legal system. However the notion of crime is also more complex than that. The same dictionary also gives crime the definition of "a grave offense especially against morality" (Encyclopedia Britannica 2012). Thus, it is clear that the morality of a society can impact how a behavior is associated as a crime, and how severe that crime will then be labeled.

There are a number of components within the contemporary criminal justice system, and each process plays an important role within keeping the legal system a solid foundation for behavior and actions within the society. Essentially, the very first component of criminal justice is the act of investigation. Criminal justice pursues understanding how and why crimes were committed in order to more effectively punish the guilty. The age old tactic of investigation is now using innovative scientific techniques and technology like DNA testing. These investigations use "forensic science, which deals with the application of the physical and biological sciences, as well as social science, to the investigation of crime," (Johnson et al. 2008 p 310-311). Investigations then lead to the decision as to what parties are guilty of particular crimes. Next, there is the trial by a jury of one's peers (Johnson et al. 2008). In this process, individuals on both sides present carefully thought out evidence to convince the jury of innocence or guilt. Upon reaching a guilty verdict, the convicted are then exposed to our system of sentencing and punishment, in terms of monetary punishments in the form of fees and penalties, as well as incarceration.

Crime has a very interesting relationship to the law. Essentially, crimes help shape the law, and vice versa. The law aims to forbid crimes, therefore increasing the sense of taboo in regards to particular behaviors that are deemed undesirable or criminal by a society. Here, the research states that "Laws, regardless of the nation, regulate social behavior by informing the citizens of what they can and cannot do and thereby lead a society that runs efficiently," (McCloud 2010 p 1). Laws are needed to reign in crime and punish the criminals that take advantage of society.