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Module 2-2 Journal
Taylor Heger
Southern New Hampshire University
CJ 230: Discretion in Criminal Justice
Nathan Mutter
03/12/2023
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Juvenile Versus Adult: Integrity, Authority, and Discretionary Power
Explain the relationship between integrity, authority, and discretionary power:
oDefine each: integrity, authority, and discretionary power.
oCompare and contrast each: How are they different? How are they similar? How
are they connected?
As stated by Pollock (2018), authority is the unquestionable entitlement to be obeyed that
comes from fulfilling a specific role, power is the right inherent in a role to use any means to
overcome resistance, and integrity means wholeness in public and private life consisting of
habits of justice, temperance, courage, compassion, honesty, fortitude, and disdain for self-pity.
A main distinction between integrity, authority, and discretionary power is that integrity
is a personal trait, while authority and discretionary power are allocated by others. Integrity is
about doing the right thing, despite the consequences. Authority is about having the power to
make decisions, and discretionary power is about having the power to make decisions without
being restrained by rules or customs. Integrity is necessary in all aspects of life, but it is
especially paramount in positions of authority. People in positions of authority have a great deal
of power, and it is essential that they use that power in a competent manner. They should always
act with integrity, even when it is challenging to do so. Authority and discretionary power are
