Law - Criminal assignments

Law Enforcement.html

Law Enforcement

"Every society gets the kind of criminal it deserves. What is equally true is that every community gets the kind of law enforcement it insists on." - Robert Kennedy

 

The beginning of the criminal justice system begins before the entrance (arrest) into the system - - it begins with the commission or suspected commission of a crime or illegal activity. Depending upon where the crime or suspected commission of crime took place, will determine which agency is called. Then again, if the crime is serious, then it may require the attention of federal law enforcement - - and even then, it varies as to who is responsible for investigating the action and determining whether a crime was committed.

 

As discussed in a previous lesson, the magnitude of the crime and those affected do play a role in society’s refer of whether law enforcement was right or wrong in their handling of the issue. For example, in the opening scene where you are arrested and placed into custody, if this was done because you were burning leaves, society (including you) would likely look at the actions of law enforcement as going a bit too far. However, if you were found trying to burn your neighbor’s garage, then yes, the actions of law enforcement would be appropriate.

 

Another factor in society is history. Yes, history plays a heavy role in society’s response. If there have been racially motivated incidents in the past, then any action, legal or not, will likely be scrutinized by society with the decision based upon how law enforcement handled it in the past and how they handle it in the present.

 

In the personal scenario, if your neighbor’s house had burned down a few years ago causing damage to surrounding homes as well, then your actions of burning leaves illegally may cause a bit more concern than if it had never happened. Similarly, if you had a history of not getting along with your neighbor and their garage suddenly caught on fire, and you were referred to walking out of the garage minutes before the fire, then history would indicate you would be a person of interest concerning law enforcement – as well as your neighbor and members of society who were aware of the situation between you and your neighbor.