The Criminal Justice system is a group of agencies and processes established by the government to control crime and impose penalties on those who violate the laws. There is no one single Criminal Justice System in the United States but they are all smaller similar systems. The jurisdiction of the system is what signifies how that particular system runs; different jurisdictions have different laws, agencies, and ways of managing their system. The Criminal Justice system operates through numerous steps in sequential order, depending on the case some move through the system quicker than others. The criminal justice process may vary, not every case will include all steps, and not all cases directly follow the sequence again depending on the seriousness
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Although criminal acts are reported they are not automatically assumed to be crimes. Responding agencies need to determine whether or not a crime was actually committed by conducting an investigation. In some cases even when a crime has been committed it is up to police discretion on whether to act or not. The majority of crimes that are committed do not lead to an …show more content…
In these hearing they ensure that innocent person are not wrongly prosecuted, but to find probable cause to warrant a person being detained until trial. Preliminary hearing information is usually published in papers or the news which interferes with fairness in the criminal justice system.
Arraignment
The accused pleads either guilty, not guilty, or nolo contender at this time. If a guilty or no contender plea is entered sentencing could be handed down at that time, but the judge will only except a guilty plea is certain assurances are met. If a plea of not guilty is entered a trial date will be set. In ninety percent of cases a plea bargain occurs at this time if accepted by both parties.
Trial
The trial is a judicial examination of the issues between both parties, issues of law and facts which are presented before a judge or jury. The evidence submitted which is collected by police and the prosecution working in line together is examined in order to come to a decision on the accused guilt or lack thereof. Trials occur more often in cases of more serious offenses particularly violent ones.
Although criminal acts are reported they are not automatically assumed to be crimes. Responding agencies need to determine whether or not a crime was actually committed by conducting an investigation. In some cases even when a crime has been committed it is up to police discretion on whether to act or not. The majority of crimes that are committed do not lead to an …show more content…
In these hearing they ensure that innocent person are not wrongly prosecuted, but to find probable cause to warrant a person being detained until trial. Preliminary hearing information is usually published in papers or the news which interferes with fairness in the criminal justice system.
Arraignment
The accused pleads either guilty, not guilty, or nolo contender at this time. If a guilty or no contender plea is entered sentencing could be handed down at that time, but the judge will only except a guilty plea is certain assurances are met. If a plea of not guilty is entered a trial date will be set. In ninety percent of cases a plea bargain occurs at this time if accepted by both parties.
Trial
The trial is a judicial examination of the issues between both parties, issues of law and facts which are presented before a judge or jury. The evidence submitted which is collected by police and the prosecution working in line together is examined in order to come to a decision on the accused guilt or lack thereof. Trials occur more often in cases of more serious offenses particularly violent ones.