united states criminal justice system
Post on 15-May-2022
3 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
United States CriminalJustice System
Some States are Safer: Violent Crime in the United States Safest
Most Dangerous
Crime Measures
UCR
• Uniform Crime Report• Collected by FBI
• Only shows reported crimes
NCVS• National Crime Victimization Survey
• Surveys - 70,000• Accounts for unreported crimes (about 50% of
crimes)
Police Discretion
• Decision of whether or not to enforce the law
Punishment - Justifications
1. Retribution – revenge2. Deterrence – to discourage crime3. Protection – of society
Courts• Backlog of court case• 8 months average between arrest and trial
Plea Bargaining• Plea guilty for a reduced sentence • Common - 85% of cases
Pros: • Reduces back log in courts• Sends more criminals to prison
Cons: • Reduced charges• Not judged• Innocent people can be tempted
Bail
• Money paid for release until trial
Pro:
• Used to relieve stress on the prison system
Cons• Can be dangerous
• Crimes committed while people are out on bail
Technicalities• Miranda Rights
• Police mistakes• Search warrants
• Reliance on DNA Evidence for conviction
Inequality Issues
• Wealthy can afford better lawyers
• African Americans in prison
• Racial profiling
Death Penalty• 72% US citizen favor it
• 1972 - Furman v. Georgia– Unconstitutional
• 1976 – Gregg v. Georgia– Constitutional
• Since 2003 IL –moratorium on death penalty
Executions in the United States
Death Penalty (cont’d)
Methods of Execution• Hanging• Firing squad• Electrocution • Lethal gas• Lethal injection (primary method used 80%
since 1977)
top related