Introduction_CriminalJustice.pdf

Have you ever been arrested? If not, just once in your life you should stop and think what you would do if you
heard the words, “You are under arrest, but your hands behind your back.” You are then placed in the back of a
police car and eventually booked and processed as part of your entrance into the criminal jus�ce system.

Based on the above scenario, are you sure as to what to expect or an�cipate? Would you recall that the
criminal jus�ce system is comprised of three dis�nct, yet integrated and overlapping sec�ons? The three
sec�ons through which you are about to pass are (a) law enforcement, (b) the judiciary process, and (c)
correc�ons. Each sec�on has its func�ons and reasons for being as well as need in terms of a�emp�ng to
maintain at least a semblance of equitable and fair law and throughout our country. Therefore, we will be
reviewing each of the sec�ons from a more or less personal perspec�ve to gain further understanding of each
and possibly some addi�onal insight as to why society responds in the way they do. First, however, let’s
consider the criminal jus�ce system from a slightly different perspec�ve.