This essay discusses how the criminal justice system is an important part of the government, allowing for the prosecution, imprisonment, and rehabilitation of criminals. Apart from the court system and police, the criminal justice system has other components like criminal justice agencies that provide additional information for researchers to form studies and articles to help improve the criminal justice system as a whole. This Criminal Justice Essay will help students looking to understand what the system is and what components make up the system. By exploring the core of the criminal justice system, one can understand law and how the government carries out enforcement of the law within the country.

Titles

What is at the Core of the Criminal Justice System in the United States?

The Effects of the Criminal Justice System on Crime

Does the Criminal Justice System Need Change?

Selected Title: The Role of The American Criminal Justice System in Crime Prevention

Topics

Crime Prevention

Rehabilitation

Effectiveness of Current System

Fairness and Racial Profiling

Outline

I.  Introduction

II.  Body

A.  Defining Criminal Justice System

B.  Racial Profiling

C.  Current Trends in the American Criminal Justice System

D.  Fairness or Profit?

III.  Conclusion

 

Introduction

The criminal justice system in the United States has existed since the colonial era. Although the colonial era brought a European form of justice, the United States would later create its own criminal justice system that includes a prison and court system. None of what the criminal justice system is now was conceived or implemented at one time. Rather, it exists as a collection of progressive moments that culminated in what American law enforcement is today. Although American has improved its law enforcement methods, there are problems that have led to a desire for reform.

Essay Hook

The American criminal justice system has roots going as far back as the 18th century. What began as a rebellion against England became a fight for independence and a chance at true freedom; this freedom brought with it a responsibility to serve and protect.

Thesis Statement

This essay will show how the American criminal justice system has changed from its beginnings in the colonial era to its current manifestation, as well as offer a brief analysis of what has become of the various components of the system from the courts to the prisons and police officers, how these components may have contributed to the racial profiling and profiteering witnessed in today’s criminal justice system.

Body

Defining Criminal Justice System

The criminal justice system can be defined as: “The criminal justice system consists of three main parts: (1) law enforcement (police, sheriffs, marshals); (2) adjudication (courts which include judges, prosecutors, defense lawyers); and (3) corrections (prison officials, probation officers, and parole officers)” (US Legal, 2017).

Aside from these three main components, there does exist criminal justice agencies aim to help the public and criminal offenders through rehabilitation and additional services. These were not part of the American criminal justice system during the earlier phase of the country. Back then there were no prisons or police officers. The system was based off law enforcement in England and France.

The current form of criminal justice system in the United States involves a police force, a court and prison system, and rehabilitation measures. “Normally, the first contact an offender has with the criminal justice system is through police who investigates a suspected wrong-doing and make an arrest. Next is the court, where disputes are settled and justice is administered” (US Legal, 2017). The prison system is where the most changes happened. Although it was not adopted until late into the 19th century and early 20th century, the American prison system was the first system to offer the option to courts to imprison criminals on the state and federal level. Federal prisons provided the option of incarcerating criminals who have committed crimes against the federal government or crimes that affect the country as a whole. But it not in the federal prisons where the problems lie. The main problem lies in the state and local prisons where overpopulation and overcrowding is a continued problem. Here is where many problems in today’s American criminal justice system exist.

Back then there existed two forms of prison systems with Pennsylvania and the Quakers having their own form of criminal justice. “Two different prison systems arose at first. Most states followed a New York prison model called the Auburn plan. It was named after the Auburn Prison opened in 1821 as a maximum-security facility. Inmates were locked in separate cells at night...
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Americans were the first to implement a true prison system and continue to provide a prison system that changes every couple of decades. These changes can as a result to internal government changes like those brought on by the Civil Rights Movement or due to privatization efforts. The prison system became the main means of rehabilitation of criminals in the United States. The court system and police officers aimed to curb criminal activity via arresting and imprisoning criminals.
This has led to voices of dissent over American law enforcement. The American criminal justice system has transformed and become one that has met many criticisms. One such criticism is the disproportionate incarceration of black Americans versus white Americans. This has become a hot-button topic and has led for cries to reform the criminal justice system. Along with racial profiling are harsher sentences that have led to continued problems among black Americans in gaining employment and avoiding additional arrests.

Racial Profiling

Racial profiling has led to many problems for the American criminal justice system. Many researchers and journalists have noted the disproportionate arrests and harsh treatments of black and Latino Americans compared to their white counterparts. One article noted how cases like Garner’s help fan the flames of police brutality and racial profiling.

In Garner’s case, for example, police targeted him for the petty crime of selling loose cigarettes — the types of crimes black people are targeted for at higher rates — and then attempted to arrest him with a chokehold, banned by the department. Whatever else we have learned from the recent tragedies of police violence, it is clear that we need comprehensive federal, state and local policies that outlaw racial profiling and rein in police excessive force (Natarajan, 2014).

It seems cases like Garner’s have increased and provided a harsh light on racial profiling and the subsequent police brutality that ensues. Thanks to the growing evidence of the problems brought on by racial profiling, more and more people have asked the American government to create reform in the criminal justice department, beginning with police officers and their treatment of specific populations.

One such areas where Americans want reform is the stop-and-frisk program. “The NYPD’s controversial stop-and-frisk program shows similar evidence of racial profiling, with police targeting blacks and Latinos. In nearly nine out of 10 searches, police find nothing. Likewise, excessive force by police persists despite Constitution’s prohibition on unreasonable searches/seizures” (Natarajan, 2014). Not only is it a wasteful action, leading to potential problems with the public and unnecessary arrests, it perpetuates the fear culture brought on by police officers and their, at times, unfair treatment of people of color. Many accounts exist that highlight the use of such a program to lead to arrests of people that otherwise would not face legal consequences. A simple act of walking away could be seen as combative and police may charge the person with ‘unlawful conduct’ “Racial profiling — as well as profiling based on religion, ethnicity and national origin — continues to plague our nation despite the constitutional guarantee of equal treatment under the law” (Natarajan, 2014).

Accounts of racial profiling are seen not just in these programs, but in simple areas like traffic tickets. Police officers may choose to ticket people more based on their race. “Rufus Scales emerged from the encounter with four traffic tickets; a charge of assaulting an officer, later dismissed; a chipped tooth; and a split upper lip that required five stitches. That was May 2013” (LaFraniere & Lehren, 2015). Rufus Scales was simply attempting to talk to the officers and was tasered, fell to the floor, and sustained an injury. After the injury, he had to appear in court where he was charged.

Rufus’ brother Devin developed a fear of police as have many black Americans. He even carries a card with him for legal help should police unfairly target him like they did with Rufus. “Today, his brother Devin does not leave home without first pocketing a hand-held video camera and a business card with a toll-free number for legal help. Those pervasive doubts about police mirror those of millions of other African-Americans” (LaFraniere & Lehren, 2015). American citizens like Rufus and Devin should not have to fear the actions of police officers. Police officers are meant to serve as the guardians of the criminal justice system, aimed at preventing and stopping crime at the local level. However, police officers have contributed to the problems of criminal activity by perpetuating the cycle of arrests targeted at non-white populations. As…