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Module 5-2 Project One
Taylor Heger
Southern New Hampshire University
CJ 230: Discretion in Criminal Justice
Nathan Mutter
04/02/2023
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Project One Submission
Discretion is, “the power or right to make official decisions using reason and judgement
to choose from among acceptable alternatives” ( Making, n.d., para. 1). Discretion in Decision
Further, exercising discretion involves the capacity to make decisions based on individual
assessment, rather than strict observance to deliberate rules or regulations. In the criminal justice
field, professionals such as police officers, prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, and
correctional officers have one thing in common- they each have discretion in making decisions.
“Although the specific decisions are different, they all involve power over others and the
potential deprivation of life, liberty, or property.” (Pollock, 2018, p. 5).
Discretion plays a meaningful role in the criminal justice field because it grants flexibility
in the administration of the law. Not every situation is the same, and not every offense is equally
grievous. Discretion permits criminal justice professionals to contemplate factors such as the
severity of the offense, the offender’s criminal history, and the significance of a particular
sentence on the offender’s life and the community.
However, the use of discretion in the criminal justice field is not without contention.
Discretion can lead to bias and injustice, with certain populations being more likely to receive
