Components of the Criminal Justice System

You may already know there are three components of the criminal justice system in the United States — or perhaps you have heard that this system consists of four component parts.

If you are left a bit confused by exactly what drives the U.S. criminal justice system, read on for a brief definition and overview of the various arms that make it work.

To address each of these arms logically and show how they interact, it may be helpful to examine the criminal justice process for the average suspect or perpetrator. Through this individual, we will follow the process as it moves from arm to arm.

1.   Law Enforcement (Police)

Because the average criminal suspect first encounters the U.S. justice system through law enforcement, we will consider it the first component of the criminal justice system. Police are generally the first responders to incidents of crime, and they are responsible for investigating criminal activity and accumulating evidence to both identify suspects and begin building a case for prosecution.

Who?

Patrol officers, detectives, sheriffs, deputies, federal agents, and both park and game rangers all have the authority to enforce laws. The job description and overall function of these law enforcement positions places them on the front lines of the criminal justice process and in the position to make initial contact with criminals. In some cases, one or more private investigators may also play a pivotal role in the evidence-gathering process.

What?

Both state and local police departments and federal government agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Justice (DoJ) investigate criminal cases, make reports on criminal activity, and gather evidence against suspects to support a court conviction. To accomplish these ends, they may need to obtain official legal documents like search warrants. Law enforcement professionals often make first contact with offenders as they respond to incoming calls and witness crimes firsthand while on patrol. They have the authority to apprehend and detain suspects, make arrests, and book offenders into jail. However, they do not have the authority to determine the guilt or innocence of a suspect or to punish or correct a suspect for their alleged crimes.

Why?

The fundamental goal of the law enforcement officer is to ensure public safety. Ideally, they are a helpful presence in the communities they serve, providing useful assistance while making sure everyone follows the rules. To protect and keep order in the legal rights of every citizen, however, they must stop and potentially arrest individuals who are behaving dangerously or otherwise breaking the law.

2.   Courts (Judicial System)

After law enforcement officials arrest a suspect, that individual then enters the judicial system. Although law enforcement can detain suspects in jail for a limited period of time, the United States adheres to the legal principle of habeas corpus, which guarantees people in police custody the right to defend themselves in a court of law. The primary function of the court system is to assess all criminal evidence to argue and ultimately determine the guilt or innocence of the suspect.

Who?

Courts are led by judges, who are tasked with ensuring all judicial system participants closely follow the rule of law. They also have an integral role in adjudicating cases and determining what happens to each accused perpetrator in the criminal justice system.

Other key players in the trial court environment include attorneys (who attempt to establish the guilt or innocence of the accused) and jurors (who determine guilt or innocence in a jury trial). It is important to note that there are two distinct criminal court systems in the United States: a general judicial system, which primarily deals with adults, and a juvenile judicial system, which deals with accused perpetrators under 18 years of age.

What?

As previously mentioned, either a judge or a jury bears the responsibility of determining the official guilt or innocence of the accused. However, even in jury trials, judges typically play an essential part in the sentencing of individuals found guilty. This means they assess and hand down appropriate punishments and corrective measures for the sentenced. They are also tasked with accepting or rejecting plea agreements. Judges and juries weigh the merit of evidence as presented by a defense attorney, who argues in favor of the accused, and the prosecution attorney, who argues against the accused. Additionally, judges oversee trials, accept or reject plea agreements, and determine the severity of sentences for those convicted of a crime.

Why?

Depending on the nature of the case and its associated criminal laws, a prosecuting attorney will attempt to convince judges or a jury that the accused committed the legal charges at hand. In terms of greasing the wheels of the criminal justice system, making criminals pay for their crimes, and ensuring the public is as safe as possible, this is an indispensable role. However, it is also important to note that the U.S. judicial system assumes people accused of crimes are innocent until proven guilty.

3.   Corrections (Prisons, Punishments, and Rehabilitation)

Accused parties who are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law are sentenced and convicted, thereby entering the U.S. corrections system. The overarching goals of the corrections system are to remove dangerous criminals from the general population, deliver punishment appropriate to the crimes, and (ideally) correct criminal behavior and rehabilitate criminals.

Who?

In addition to wardens, superintendents, and other officials who oversee prisons and corrective processes, the corrections arm of the criminal justice system consists of corrections officers to supervise inmates and probation/parole officers to supervise offenders who are subject to court-mandated monitoring outside of the prison setting. Other people working in the corrections system range from educators to social workers to religious advisors.

What?

To accomplish its various goals, the corrections system has several corrective measures at its disposal. These measures include (but aren’t necessarily limited to) fines, incarceration, probation, parole, and community service. However, this arm of the criminal justice system must adhere to the many constitutional safeguards that protect the rights of prisoners and other criminal offenders.

Why?

The principal objective of the corrections officer is to monitor incarcerated individuals in a safe and secure environment while they undergo reformation in anticipation of release. Probation and parole officers play crucial roles in helping convicts and ex-convicts lead productive lives as members of society. Simply put, the corrections system is an essential protector of public safety.

Legislation (The Fourth Component?)

While many criminal justice professionals and thought leaders tend to view corrections as the third and final arm of the U.S. criminal justice system, others include a fourth arm under the general umbrella of “legislation.” In fact, in his influential book Clinical Interventions in Criminal Justice Settings, George T. Patterson lists legislation as the first of these four components. This makes sense considering legislative forces are responsible for establishing the criminal laws that police officers enforce. So, without legislation, law enforcement could identify no offenders, let alone bring them into the criminal justice system as we know it.

Who?

Different laws at different levels of government are made by different legislative bodies. At the federal level in the United States, laws are made by a congressional branch that consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Other legislative bodies oversee the creation of laws at the state and local levels. Other parties with key roles in creating legislation include political parties and special interest groups.

What?

Whether appointed or elected, legislators gather in agencies or houses of government to introduce new legislation. Hopefully, this legislation reflects the best interests of the general public or, at least, the segment of the general public that the legislators represent. After introducing proposals for new laws or changes to existing laws (typically called “bills”), legislators debate the various and relative merits and drawbacks of those bills before voting on them. Some bills might pass based on a simple majority, while others might require a different percentage of votes in favor. Even after passing the rigors of the legislative branch, many bills require approval from an official in the executive branch of government before it becomes law.

Why?

After a bill is signed into law, it becomes part of the bedrock that grounds all other components of the criminal justice system. As police strive to enforce the law, judges, jurors, and attorneys work to interpret the law and see that justice is served. The corrections system is also profoundly affected by legislation because certain laws can trigger dramatic escalations and drops in rates of incarceration.

How Do the Components Work Together?

Observant readers have probably already noticed the various ways law enforcement agencies, court systems, corrections institutions, and legislative bodies impact and influence one another. In short, police detect and investigate crime and apprehend those who perpetrate it. After arresting criminal suspects, law enforcement officials hand them over to a court system that either vindicates them as innocent or declares them guilty. Guilty parties face punishments and corrective measures that may be as simple as paying a fee. However, more serious offenses might warrant sentences of probation or incarceration. These sentences place criminals within a corrections system that involves direct supervision by probation or corrections officers. If an incarcerated individual is released on parole, law enforcement and parole officers work together to prevent their return to prison.

Start Your Criminal Justice Journey Today

Interested in a career as a police or security officer? Maybe you want to enter the legal or corrections field? There is no shortage of employment opportunities in the criminal justice sector, and Bryant & Stratton College wants to help you take full advantage of them. We offer several degree options for aspiring criminal justice professionals through our suite of human and legal services programs.

These degrees include the Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice Studies, the 36-credit Criminal Justice and Security Services Diploma, and the Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies. All three of these programs are available both on campus and online. To request more information about any of our programs, fill out a short online form.