Discretion plays an indispensable role in the criminal justice system (CJS). Discretion is the judgment or decision implemented through values‚ facts‚ and principles. In the CJS‚ it is the authority given to a decision maker to decide between alternatives or no alternatives. Discretion can be used by police in the area of the criminal investigation process. Its role is continuous from sentencing judgments to the point of detaining offenders in prison past their sentencing period. Discretion also
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Police Discretion Jocelyn Golphin University of the District of Columbia Criminal Justice System 2/21/2014 Golphin 2 Police discretion is a very important approach in matters concerning criminal justice. There has been a consistent problem between enforcing the law and the spirit of the law. Discretion in the broader sense can be defined as the individual’s ability to make a decision basing on the principle of courses of the action. During training‚ police
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Policing Essay Police discretion poses an interesting paradox in our democratic society. As Ramirez et al (2000) explains‚ we entrust the police to enforce the law‚ to maintain order‚ and to use legitimate force if necessary ’. Not only do we expect police to complete this rather demanding task‚ but we also expect them to accomplish these tasks by treating the public in a fair and even-handed way ’. Thus a major problem is the over policing ’ and stereotyping ’ of marginalized groups such
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In this paper‚ I will be writing about Police Discretion. I will start by defining Police Discretion then briefly discuss the use in domestic disturbances‚ minor misdemeanors‚ and traffic enforcement. I will also discuss the application of police discretion‚ the provisions it uses and how it is currently practiced. At the end of these brief descriptions‚ I will then present the myth that exists in regards to police discretion. And finally‚ I will end this paper with my personal opinion as well
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POLICE DISCRETION There’s a difference between the ministration and administration of justice. Nobody (except mechanical jurisprudence theorists) wants a ministerial agency of justice‚ one that would ritually and religiously follow every rule and regulation down to the letter in a mechanistic‚ repetitive‚ assembly-line manner. Instead‚ we need responsible administers -- officials who show "good judgment" and exercise discretion by assessing the context of each and every situation. By definition
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Running head: POLICE DISCRETION Police Discretion CJA/342 University Of Phoenix Police Discretion Police discretion is an important tool in police work due to the law sometimes being too vague or ambiguous. Police officers are trained on different scenarios that one may come across while they are at the academy. The problem tends to arise when a police officer comes across a situation that they were not trained for‚ and since the academy cannot cover every possible scenario that
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#2 Police discretion is issued to officers for the purpose of maintaining a just society. Discretion is defined the ability to form decisions based on their own judgment. These decisions are concluded through copious reasons such an officer’s experience or through their own individual backgrounds. Police discretion has the ability to dismiss minor crimes‚ yet laws exist where discretion is invalid and officers must accomplish whatever means legally to punish the criminal. Discretion gives police
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Police Discretion Police Discretion Discretion is defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as “the ability to make responsible decisions‚ individual choice or judgment‚ power of free decision or latitude of choice within certain legal bounds.” In law enforcement discretion is left up to each individual officer on the field everyday. Police officers are given the authority to make reasonable and responsible decisions out in the field. Discretion is used in many situations‚ such as when
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Police Discretion David Gonzalez University of Phoenix Introduction to Policing CJA/370 Professor John W. Feltgen June 23‚ 2005 Abstract In this paper I will discuss police discretion and the use of these discretionary powers in the law enforcement workplace. I will explore the mythical aspects of police discretionary powers and the source of this myth. I will further discuss the control of discretionary authority. I will name instances of law enforcement officials using their discretionary powers
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Discretion is defined as the authority to make a decision between two or more choices (Pollock‚ 2010). More specifically‚ it is defined as “the capacity to identify and to document criminal and noncriminal events” (Boivin &ump; Cordeau‚ 2011). Every police officer has a great deal of discretion concerning when to use their authority‚ power‚ persuasion‚ or force. Depending on how an officer sees their duty to society will determine an officer’s discretion. Discretion leads to selective enforcement
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