Assignment 2: Defining Criminal Justice Just Graduated

Assignment 2 Defining Criminal Justicejustin Just Graduated From The

Explain how you would define the terms "crime," "criminals," and "criminal justice" to a new police officer, using your textbook and one scholarly article from the Argosy University online library. Discuss why it is important for police officers to understand these terms, including what makes a person a criminal, supported by examples from your sources. Describe the role of justice in the criminal court system and how justice is achieved within criminal courts. Additionally, analyze whether a person who commits a crime but has a valid legal defense should still be considered a criminal, providing reasoning supported by your sources.

Paper For Above instruction

Understanding fundamental concepts such as "crime," "criminals," and "criminal justice" is essential for law enforcement officers. As Anne Doil might explain to a new officer like Justin, a "crime" is an act that violates a law established by a governing authority—it is an offense against society recognized and prohibited by legal statutes (Siegel, 2019). "Criminals" are individuals who commit such acts, intentionally or negligently breaching legal norms, thereby becoming subject to law enforcement and judicial procedures. "Criminal justice" encompasses the system of practices and institutions through which crimes are investigated, prosecuted, adjudicated, and punished, aiming to maintain social order, uphold the rule of law, and provide justice (Pollock, 2018).

It is crucial for police officers to understand these terms because they form the foundation of their role in crime prevention, investigation, and enforcement. Recognizing what constitutes a crime helps officers to identify unlawful actions accurately and apply legal procedures consistently. For example, according to Jones et al. (2020), understanding the elements that define specific crimes enables officers to gather appropriate evidence and build solid cases, ultimately facilitating fair prosecution and justice delivery. If an officer misunderstands the nature of a crime, it may lead to wrongful arrests or failure to arrest actual perpetrators, thus undermining public trust and justice.

What makes a person a criminal is generally an unlawful act committed with intent or negligence that violates statutory laws. For instance, theft involves unlawfully taking another person's property with intent to permanently deprive them of it. However, the criminality of an act can be mitigated or nullified if the accused has a valid legal defense. For example, in cases of self-defense, the person committed an act that would typically be criminal (such as assault), but because they acted to protect themselves from imminent harm, their conduct may be justified and not considered criminal (Siegel, 2019). This highlights that criminal law recognizes circumstances where an act, while technically unlawful, does not warrant punishment due to defenses or justifications.

Justice plays a pivotal role in the criminal court system by ensuring that cases are heard fairly, evidence is evaluated impartially, and verdicts and sentencing are administered in accordance with the law. Achieving justice involves upholding constitutional rights, applying legal standards consistently, and seeking equitable outcomes. As Pollock (2018) emphasizes, justice is not solely about punishing wrongdoers but also about safeguarding individual rights and maintaining societal order. To achieve this, courts follow procedural rules designed to ensure transparency and fairness, such as the presumption of innocence, the right to a fair trial, and the requirement for proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

The question of whether an individual who commits a crime but has a legal defense should still be considered a criminal hinges on the context of that defense. Legally, if the evidence supports a valid defense—like insanity or duress—the individual may not be held criminally responsible under the law. For example, a person who commits an act of violence while under the influence of a severe mental disorder may be found not criminally liable due to insanity (Siegel, 2019). In such cases, the person is not viewed as a criminal because their actions are excused or justified by the Court, emphasizing that criminality is not solely about the commission of an unlawful act but also about the absence of valid defenses.

References

• Siegel, L. J. (2019). Criminology: The Core (7th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Pollock, J. M. (2018). Criminal Procedure for the Criminal Justice Professional (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Jones, M. P., Kappeler, V. E., & Ginther, L. (2020). Police Crime Prevention: Strategies and Effects. Routledge.
• Additional scholarly articles from the Argosy University online library as needed.