How have the criminal justice system evolved - Research Paper Example

Criminal justice system forms an essential part of the society in every country. Enforcements of the laws, courts and corrections are the major components of the system, where every part has their individual responsibilities and has to work independently keeping in focus the effects of their decisions on the other parts as well as on the human societies as well. The Anglo-Saxons and the Tithing system are known to be the oldest system as far as criminal justice is concerned. In this system, a division of civil government involving ten families launched the standard of cooperative liability for preserving law and order.

The ten families were referred to as the tithings (Hess & Orthmann, 2011, pp.1-7). Hue and cry was referred to the shout by a citizen by whom any crime has been witnessed. This would be followed by grabbing the attention of any other individuals present in the scene who might chase the offender and catch him if possible. It was considered as a general alarm leading to citizen’s arrest. In 1066, the Norman Frankpledge System came into existence that demanded for loyalty to the law set by the king and communal neighborhood accountability of all free Englishmen to uphold tranquility.

In the twelfth century, the enforcement of law was developed into a public matter by Leges Henrici. The jury system was established by Henry II in 1154 where people had to give information to a judges panel in regard to any crime that has taken place (Hess & Orthmann, 2011, pp.7-8). The current system of criminal justice has been based much on the Magna Carta which refers to a “decisive document in the development of constitutional government in England that checked royal power and placed the king under the law” (Hess & Orthmann, 2011, p.9). This document involved the rights of the individuals and rested the establishment for necessitating leaders to support the law; forbade taxation lacking illustration; obligatory outstanding procedure