w8 final exam 2b

The Criminal Justice NON-System Because the three sec�ons of the criminal jus�ce system overlap and yet are frequently referred to as well as operate as separate en��es, some access it as a nonsystem. The perspec�ve of the nonsystem stems from the fact that each sec�on has its history and culture, ergo influencing the direc�on and flow of development. For example, each state, each county, and nearly every city or town has its form of law enforcement. Addi�onally, as you are likely aware, each state, county, and city/town has varying perspec�ves as to what ac�vi�es are legal and which are not - - like is burning leaves legal or not? Is it legal to turn right at a red light? While these may appear to be minor issues, they do communicate a sense of disjointedness promo�ng the idea of the criminal jus�ce process being a nonsystem. The same is true of the judiciary process – the courts. Just consider the varying people who are involved in the judiciary process - - judges, clerks, a�orneys, record keepers, court officers, paralegals, etc. All of these people play a role in assis�ng with the running of the system, but each does this from a different perspec�ve in terms of what is deemed a priority. Again, a system that func�ons, some�mes within an atmosphere of confusion, is characteris�c of a nonsystem. Lastly, correc�ons – this not only includes jails and prisons, but also halfway houses, treatment programs, parole services, and house-arrest situa�ons. The center of focus for each of these varies according to the goal – a nonsystem within a system! Whether your perspec�ve is that criminal jus�ce is a system or a nonsystem may be determined by what you know about it and your history and experience with it. The same is true of each member of society - - some praise law enforcement, but have issues with the judiciary process; some have a love-hate rela�onship with law enforcement but access correc�ons as being bias. Other people like and agree with the process as a whole as long as everything goes their way or the way they feel it should and despair of the whole process if they disagree. On this note, let’s go back to the personalized access of each sec�on, beginning with law enforcement.