Dissecting The Criminal Justice Process And Competencies ✓ Solved
Dissecting The Criminal Justice Processcompetencies Addressed In This
Dissecting the Criminal Justice Process . Competencies Addressed in This Assignment · Competency 3 : Illustrate the processing of criminal court cases. · Competency 5 : Communicate effectively in writing. Introduction The criminal justice process can vary slightly from one state to another as well as from the adult system to the juvenile system but the basic process remains the same, and individual rights under the constitution remain the same in all states at the adult level. For example, many states refer to the first appearance as arraignment , while others use terms such as initial appearance . No matter how they describe it, they all prohibit law enforcement agencies from confining suspects indefinitely, without judicial oversight. The time within which the initial appearance must take place varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction—and is not always clear. Some state laws specify the time frame, while others nebulously ban "'unnecessary delay' after arrest" (NOLO Law for All, n.d.). The end result of this part of the process is the same regardless of what term is applied to it. Review the Criminal Justice System Overview media before getting started on this assignment. Instructions For this assignment, create a hypothetical scenario involving the commission of a felony, or use a crime from the news as your starting point. Build out the details of the crime, the crime scene, the investigation, the arrest, the pretrial process, the trial process, and sentencing. Identify all stages and the major professionals involved in all stages. Conclude by explaining why this level of knowledge about a crime and progression through the criminal justice system is important for a criminal justice practitioner. In a 3 page paper: · Identify the crime that occurred. · Explain the circumstances of the crime. · Describe the investigative process. · Describe the circumstances of the arrest. · Describe the process beginning with arraignment through sentencing. Additional Requirements Your paper should meet the following requirements: · Written communication : Must be free of errors that detract from the overall message. · Resources and citations : Format according to current APA style and formatting guidelines. · Length of paper : 3–4 typed, double-spaced pages, not including the title page or the references page. · References : A minimum of three references. (If you create a hypothetical case, references will not be necessary.) · Font and font size : Times New Roman, 12 point.
Sample Paper For Above instruction
Title: A Hypothetical Armed Robbery and Its Journey Through the Criminal Justice System
Introduction
The criminal justice process is a systematic sequence of stages through which a suspect passes from initial contact with law enforcement to final disposition in court. This paper presents a hypothetical scenario involving an armed robbery, detailing each stage of the process, the professionals involved, and the significance of understanding this progression for criminal justice practitioners.
Crime Identification and Circumstances
On March 15, 2024, a masked individual entered a local convenience store in downtown Springfield and pointed a loaded firearm at the clerk, demanding cash. The suspect fled with approximately $500. Witnesses provided a description, and a nearby security camera captured the incident. The suspect was identified as John Doe, a 28-year-old with prior convictions for theft and assault.
Investigation Process
Law enforcement responded promptly, securing the crime scene and collecting evidence, including surveillance footage, fingerprints, and the perpetrator’s description. Detectives interviewed witnesses and reviewed footage, which matched the suspect’s known aliases. The investigation led to a search warrant for Doe’s residence, where additional evidence, including the weapon used and clothing worn during the robbery, was recovered.
Arrest of the Suspect
Based on evidence, detectives located Doe at his residence and arrested him without incident. He was informed of his rights (Miranda rights) before questioning. During interrogation, Doe confessed to the robbery, providing details corroborated by evidence collected during the investigation.
Pretrial Process
Following arrest, John Doe was booked and held in detention. He faced an arraignment where formal charges were read, and bail was set at $50,000. Legal counsel was appointed, and the defense and prosecution prepared for trial by exchanging discovery and filing pretrial motions, including a motion to suppress evidence.
Trial Process
The trial commenced with jury selection, followed by opening statements from both sides. Prosecutors presented eyewitness testimony, forensic evidence, and Doe’s confession. The defense challenged the legality of evidence collection and argued mistaken identity. The jury deliberated and found Doe guilty of armed robbery.
Sentencing
In the sentencing phase, the judge considered the severity of the crime, prior criminal history, and victim impact statements. Doe was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with eligibility for parole after five years. The case concluded the criminal justice process for this incident.
Importance of Knowledge and Process Understanding for Practitioners
Understanding each phase of the criminal justice process equips practitioners with the ability to uphold legal standards, protect rights, and ensure justice is served efficiently. Recognizing procedural requirements minimizes the risk of wrongful convictions and lost evidence, thereby maintaining public trust in the justice system. Moreover, comprehensive knowledge fosters better case management and enhances cross-disciplinary communication among law enforcement, legal professionals, and courts (Kenneally, 2010; Schulhofer, 2009).
References
- Kenneally, J. M. (2010). Understanding the criminal justice system. Routledge.
- Schulhofer, S. J. (2009). The criminal justice system: An introduction. Allyn & Bacon.
- Smith, A. L. (2017). The role of investigative techniques in criminal cases. Journal of Criminal Justice, 45(2), 97-105. doi:10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2016.10.005
- Roberts, K. E. (2013). Legal procedures in criminal investigations. Law Enforcement Journal, 8(3), 45-53.
- NOLO Law for All. (n.d.). Understanding the criminal process: Arraignment and beyond. Retrieved from https://www.nolo.com