Chapter 1Criminal Justice Today

Learning Objective 1Describe the two most common

models of how society determines which acts are criminal.

Learning Objective 1The Consensus Model

Assumes that a diverse group of people have similar morals and share an ideal of what is “right” and “wrong.”

Crime are acts that violate this shared value system and are deemed harmful to society.

Learning Objective 1The Conflict Model

Assumes that society is so diverse that members do not share moral attitudes.

The most politically powerful members of society have the most influence on criminal law and impose their value system on the community.

Learning Objective 2Define crime and the different

types of crime.

Learning Objective 2An Integrated Definition of Crime

Crime is an action that is punishable under criminal law as defined by a society.

Considered an offense against society as a whole, not against the victim.

Punishable by statutorily determined sanctions that bring about a loss of personal freedom.

Learning Objective 2Criminal behavior can be grouped

into six categories:

1. Violent crime

2. Property crime

3. Public order crime

4. White collar crime

5. Organized crime

6. High-tech crime

Learning Objective 2The Criminal Justice System is

composed of three components:

Law enforcement agencies

Courts

Corrections

The Criminal Justice System divides its power between the federal government and the states. This is known as federalism.

Learning Objective 3Outline the three levels of law

enforcement.

Learning Objective 3Local law enforcement

City police agencies

County Sheriffs

State law enforcement

State police

Highway patrols

Other state law enforcers such as fire marshals, wildlife wardens, beverage control officers, etc.

Learning Objective 3Federal law enforcement

The Department of Homeland SecurityThe Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)The Secret Service The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms

and Explosives (ATF)

The CourtsThe United States has a duel court system.Comprised of one federal court and fifty

different state court systems.

Learning Objective 4List the essential elements of

the corrections systems.

Learning Objective 4The Corrections systems includes:

Prisons

Jails

Community-based corrections (ex: probation)

Parole

Learning Objective 5Explain the difference between

the formal and informal criminal justice processes.

Learning Objective 5The formal criminal justice process

Functions as an assembly-line

The informal criminal justice processBased on the use of discretion

Learning Objective 6Describe the layers of the

“wedding cake” model.

Learning Objective 7Contrast the crime control and

due process models.

Discussion QuestionsWhat are the major steps in

the pretrial process?

Are there any potential conflicts between due process and crime control?

Video: Pre-Trial Release Officer – Fulton County Superior Court

Learning Objective 7The crime control model

Primary emphasis on the right of society to be protected from crime.

The due process model Primary emphasis on the right of the

individual to be protected from the power of government.

Learning Objective 8 List the major issues in

criminal justice today.

Learning Objective 8Concern about violent crime

Gun sales and gun controlThe illegal drugs problem

Challenges to law enforcement Street gangsDNA profilingHomeland security

Challenges to correctionsThe growing prison populationEconomics of incarceration