Criminal Justice System Case Study
Recommendations to Improve Our Criminal Justice System
Sami-Marcia Donovan
EN234 – Computers in Law Enforcement
July 6, 2013
Ivy Bridge College/Tiffin University
Abstract
The American Criminal Justice System is a multifaceted legal system that provides resources for policing American society and disciplining individuals who may present a threat to its citizens. The Criminal Justice System is commissioned with ensuring that criminals are penalized appropriately for their crimes and rehabilitated so that they can become productive citizens after serving a prison sentence. As the Criminal Justice System has aspects which are controversial, the pros and cons of the process are often based on individual views.
After being incarcerated …show more content…
They are appointed a Public Defender (Public Pretender, as inmates call them). These Court appointed attorneys are not for the defendant, but for the Courts. This is the reason, in this writer’s opinion; they push “plea bargains” so intensely. As the state has access to unlimited funds, this brings a tremendous advantage to the prosecution, as the Public Defender is under paid and over worked, thereby in most cases provide the defendant with limited representation, thereby losing the case for their clients. It has become apparent that to have a Public Defender representing the accused is less than favorable. What is to the defendant’s advantage is to have a wealthy client, in order to get the best representation as possible. These issues lead to an unfair justice system. In order for the system to be considered reasonable, a trial should be a swift one, with everyone on the same playing field. Many times this is not the case. There has been situations where it has taken years for the accused to be arrested, tried, a verdict presented and incarceration of the guilty party. These delays were not because of the lawyer’s seeking delays, but due to under funding, over crowded Court dockets. In the case of the prosecution delaying trials, is so as they can discover more evidence, ignoring the fact …show more content…
Because the Judicial System is underfunded and overcrowded, plea bargains have become popular with defense attorneys, public defenders and the Courts as it saves them time and money. However, it is a threat to the unknowing newbie to the criminal justice system. As this author learned, once one takes a plea bargain they lose their rights to any appeal that would normally be afforded to them. It also threatens any chance they have of being found innocent of the crime in which they were accused by jury. Plea bargains are no more than a violation of the accused rights to a fair trial. On the other side of the coin, plea bargains can be a mis-justice as it allows a responsible person a opportunity for a lesser charge and sentence. On the same token, the guilty individual could receive probation for informing on another criminal involved in the crime. Plea bargaining is just another way for unfair and unequal justice in the Criminal justice
Sami-Marcia Donovan
EN234 – Computers in Law Enforcement
July 6, 2013
Ivy Bridge College/Tiffin University
Abstract
The American Criminal Justice System is a multifaceted legal system that provides resources for policing American society and disciplining individuals who may present a threat to its citizens. The Criminal Justice System is commissioned with ensuring that criminals are penalized appropriately for their crimes and rehabilitated so that they can become productive citizens after serving a prison sentence. As the Criminal Justice System has aspects which are controversial, the pros and cons of the process are often based on individual views.
After being incarcerated …show more content…
They are appointed a Public Defender (Public Pretender, as inmates call them). These Court appointed attorneys are not for the defendant, but for the Courts. This is the reason, in this writer’s opinion; they push “plea bargains” so intensely. As the state has access to unlimited funds, this brings a tremendous advantage to the prosecution, as the Public Defender is under paid and over worked, thereby in most cases provide the defendant with limited representation, thereby losing the case for their clients. It has become apparent that to have a Public Defender representing the accused is less than favorable. What is to the defendant’s advantage is to have a wealthy client, in order to get the best representation as possible. These issues lead to an unfair justice system. In order for the system to be considered reasonable, a trial should be a swift one, with everyone on the same playing field. Many times this is not the case. There has been situations where it has taken years for the accused to be arrested, tried, a verdict presented and incarceration of the guilty party. These delays were not because of the lawyer’s seeking delays, but due to under funding, over crowded Court dockets. In the case of the prosecution delaying trials, is so as they can discover more evidence, ignoring the fact …show more content…
Because the Judicial System is underfunded and overcrowded, plea bargains have become popular with defense attorneys, public defenders and the Courts as it saves them time and money. However, it is a threat to the unknowing newbie to the criminal justice system. As this author learned, once one takes a plea bargain they lose their rights to any appeal that would normally be afforded to them. It also threatens any chance they have of being found innocent of the crime in which they were accused by jury. Plea bargains are no more than a violation of the accused rights to a fair trial. On the other side of the coin, plea bargains can be a mis-justice as it allows a responsible person a opportunity for a lesser charge and sentence. On the same token, the guilty individual could receive probation for informing on another criminal involved in the crime. Plea bargaining is just another way for unfair and unequal justice in the Criminal justice