Components and structure of the criminal justice system process

Criminal justice system can be described as a collection of state, federal and local agencies which are concerned about problems of crimes. Such agencies assist to process convicted offenders, defendants and suspects. They are also interdependent as the decision from one agency is capable of affecting the other agencies. Their primary framework of their system has been provided by the judicial, legislative and executive branches of government.

The Legislature: Both federal and state always define crimes, fix sentence, as well as providing funding for criminal justice agencies. The judiciary: They are the trial courts which make judgments on and pronounce a person's guilt that has been charged with crimes, whereas the appellate courts interpret the law as per the principles of the constitution. Federal appallate and state courts can review legislative decision and give decision whether they are categorized under federal law, state law as well as ultimately, the United States Constitution. Courts are given power by the judicial review to evaluate legislative acts based on whether they obey the rules of the Constitution. In any case the law conflict with the Constitution, then it can be strike down by an appallate court, John Randolph Fuller. 2005.

The executive branch gives power to the mayors, governors and president. Their powers on criminal justice matters make them to be able to appoint judges and heads of agencies, for example, directors of department of corrections and police chiefs. Moreover, officials who are elected are capable of leading efforts for the improvement of justice through putting forth legislative agendas as well as mobilizing public opinion.

Justice system has its major components such as police, courts and corrections that deter or prevent criminal activities by apprehending the persons involved in criminal activities, trying them and after that punishing them. Department of police are public agencies that has the functions of maintaining order, enforcing criminal law as well as providing services. The police officer has its operation within the community for the purpose of preventing and controlling crimes. They work in cooperation with prosecutors in investigation of criminal, collecting evidences which are essential in obtaining convictions in the court. The courts are tribunal in which people who are accused of violating criminal law, judges or juries determine their criminal responsibility. The court's function is to seek justice and discover the truth. Main actors are the judges, defense attorneys and prosecutors, Garland, David (2002).

Corrections entails prison, jail, parole, probation as well as various new community- based sanctions like monitoring electronically and house arrest. The functions of correctional agencies are to rehabilitate, punish as well as to make sure there is safety of the public. One will be arrested by a police officer since he has been convinced that one has committed misdemeanor, violation or felony. In any case one has been charged with misdemeanor or felony, then the officers has to file a complaint in criminal court. One is going to be held in jail for not less than twenty four hours till one is able to appear before a judge. In any case one is booked into jail, he is photographed and the fingerprints are taken. The officer is going to run this person's record in trying to determine whether one have ever had an arrest before. When one has been charged with violation, he is going to be set free and asked so that he can present himself to the court at later date and time, Wolfgang, Marvin (1990).