Criminal Justice System
Leta McDaniel
CJA/204
December 3rd 2012
Criminal Justice System
Crime is any act that violates laws made by the majority of society. In other words any act that violates state, local or federal laws and has no justification or excuse that can be used (Schmalleger, ch.1 pg.7 (2011).
The Consensus Model assumes that the pieces that make up the criminal justice system work properly together to deliver justice. The Conflict Model says that the system does not work together but rather each agency works to serve its own purpose selfishly (Schmalleger, ch.1 pg.16 (2011).
The Criminal justice system is a group of federal, state, and local agencies that deal ...view middle of the document...
All three components are set up to ensure that justice is served (Schmalleger, ch.1 pg.17 (2011).
Choice Theories or rational choice theories explain the desire to satisfy needs for survival; fun, to belong, freedom, power, and a connection to others. These desires drive people to make choices sometimes even bad choices that will make sure their desires are satisfied whereas some individuals go to work and earn what they have. Most people show love and affection to gain belonging, and a connection to other people but some steal, lie, and cheat. Sometimes people even inflict pain or worse on others to fulfill their needs if the need outweighs the consequences (Schmalleger, ch.3 pg. 82 (2011).
The goals of the criminal justice system are to deter people from committing crime through fear of the consequences and retribution, which requires the perpetrator to pay a debt to society and their victims. Restoring the victim to their whole selves again is another goal along with incapacitating criminals by incarcerating them, and trying to rehabilitate criminals so they will not offend again (Schmalleger, ch.1 interactive (2011).
Ideally the criminal justice system is put in...