The Criminal Justice System in the US - Essay Example

The criminal justice system protects citizens from the criminal elements. The system includes the United States courts of law. First, the criminal justice system includes the collection of federal agencies, state agencies, and local agencies that focus on monitoring and resolving the United States’ criminal incidents. Each department has the responsibility as well as the authority to process suspects in any reported crime under its jurisdiction. Likewise, each department must take control of and ensure custody of each defendant in any crime. Lastly, each department shall ensure each convicted felon serves each sentence that the courts render on each suspect or defendant.

In addition, the legislative branch of the United States government creates the basic framework of each criminal justice department. Ralph Henham (2009) insists that criminal justice laws must shift to the restorative justice concept. The concept states that each convicted felon is trained by the penitentiary to drop their evil ways and become productive members of society, after serving their jail sentences. In addition, the judicial branch of the United States implements its basic framework for each criminal justice department to implement. Geoffrey Scarre (2006) emphasizes the courts include mitigating or aggravating circumstances when deciding cases. Finally, the executive branch of the United States government implements its tenets for each criminal justice organization.

Discussion of the bureaucracy in criminal justice organizations. Each criminal justice organization must accomplish its duties and responsibilities. For example, the police dept is tasked with arresting the criminal suspects. Often, Raskin et. al. theorizes (Raskin et al, 2006) police officers arrest juveniles who are suffering from mental health problems. Mental disorders among juveniles significantly increase the possibility of their arrests. However, other research findings indicate the criminal justice organization must be cautious or compassionate when arresting or taking custody of confused juvenile delinquents, especially those with acquired deficit activities and opposition defiant problems.

Further, the prisons are responsible for monitoring convicted felons and suspects within penitentiaries. Bean Philip (1999) reiterated that technology reduces the cost to hire more jail guards within the penitentiary. Technology includes the use of CCTV cameras to replace human beings as keepers of the peace and surveillance tools within jail premises.

In addition, the courts weigh the evidence as the basis for passing judgment. K. Douglas (Douglas, 1997) reiterates the Jury used photographic evidence to strengthen the guilty verdict.
Red tape means there are too many unnecessary rules, laws, or policies that may hinder the fast, effective, and efficient implementation of justice. Often bureaucracy impedes the immediate implementation of justice.

The leadership in criminal justice organizations. Ron Cacioppe (1997) accentuates leadership wisdom as of prime importance in the criminal justice organization. First, leaders must hone their current skills in critical thinking. Next, the leaders of the criminal justice organization should enhance their current crisis leadership prowess. In addition, the criminal justice system’s leaders must improve their present change management capabilities. Lastly, the leaders of the same organization should develop their current decision-making capacities. Perking up the organization’s leadership skills translates to a more effective and efficient implementation of justice. S. Bird proposed (2004) that leadership skills are needed to implement the justice system’s transition care of Jail inmates as they are trained to become positive contributors to society, after serving their sentences.

Further, the organizational structure is a significant factor in terms of implementing efficient and effective organizational operations. The criminal justice organization’s structure has its strategies to mitigate the impact of each inherent barrier to the successful implementation of the efficient and effective criminal justice organization’s operations. For example, the criminal justice organization, especially the courts, must eliminate discrimination when handing down punishments or acquittals. Brian Johnson (2009) observes that Asian Americans and White Americans are punished are similarly penalized compared to the punishments meted out the African Americans and Latin Americans.

Based on the above discussion, the criminal justice organization focuses on keeping peace and order thrives in the United States. The criminal justice organization includes the police, the courts, and the prison. The criminal justice organization’s bureaucracy has major advantages and minor disadvantages. Indeed, the overall criminal justice organization effectively and efficiently manages the entire criminal justice process with flying colors. Read More