Issues Within the United States Criminal Justice System
Many issues face those working within the criminal justice system and those navigating the system as a defendant. All levels of the system face calls for reform,and the outcome of the issues stands to affect many.
Justices of the Peace
Are Justice of the Peace courts effective in the administration of justice over criminal offenses? As the justice system becomes more complex, are non-attorney judges able to responsibly handle the issues before them? According to the Justices of the Peace and Constables Association of Texas, the push to require JP's to be licensed attorneys is opposed heavily by sitting JP's.
Community Service As Effective Sentence
According to uscourts.gov, community service is work by an offender for civic or nonprofit organizations done without pay. It is given as an alternative to prison for non-violent offenders. Critics suggest the sentence is not harsh enough to deter future offenses. Proponents posit that it gives a second chance for offenders to become contributing members of society.
Women in Criminal Justice System
Women are increasingly convicted of formerly male-dominated crimes. According to sentencingproject.org, the number of women incarcerated in a prison has doubled that of men since 1985. Women in prison face unique issues that men do not, and the increasing number of incarcerated women creates issues of medical and prenatal care for pregnant inmates for which legislators must somehow plan and make provision.
Juveniles Tried as Adults
Several issues influence how a juvenile is charged. Opponents assert juveniles are charged as adults because of the shocking nature of the crimes, but are juvenile offenders mentally and emotionally developed enough to form intent and understand the consequences of actions as they effect victims, families, and offenders into the future?
Facing the Issues
Issues facing the system arise from different sources, including statutory, constitutional,and local laws and policies. Confronting the issues across all levels of the system is a slow and often disjointed process, but citizens can voice their opinions to local, state, and federal law makers.
Published by Mona Rigdon
First and foremost, I am a mother and wife. God blessed me with a wonderful husband and four children. I am also a freelance writer, graphic designer, and I volunteer (a lot). I volunteer for boy and girl sc... View profile
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8 Comments
Post a CommentI believe that juveniles should be tried as adults...after all, the shocking nature of some of them requires more punishment than being sent to juvenile deliquency...
Excellent, this is great... :o)
Great points.
You raise some very interesting questions in this article. In my neck of the woods, I think JPs help from clogging the circuit court with lesser offense, such as traffic offenses, and even though I know they go through some training, the posts are usually held by election. I think the juvenile problem is a difficult one, simply because sometimes the acts are those of adult proportion. Difficult questions with few solutions as it stands right now.
Very informative.. very eye opening .. well done :)
It is very good that you are throwing a light on this topic. Good job.
Mona, excellent approach to this topic. Well done, cheers.
Good reporting, Mona!