Criminal Justice System Flashcards
(17 cards)
Police
Enforce the law, investigate crime, arrest and gather evidence.
Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
Decide if there’s enough evidence to prosecute and bring cases to court.
Court System
Determine guilt and impose sentences (includes Magistrates’, Crown, and Appeals Courts).
National Offender Management Service (NOMS)
Manages prisons and probation to reduce reoffending.
Youth Justice Board
Responsible for preventing youth offending and overseeing youth justice services.
Home Office
Oversees policing, crime reduction, security, and counter-terrorism.
Attorney General
Oversees CPS, Serious Fraud Office, and upholds the rule of law (e.g. unduly lenient sentences, contempt of court).
Ministry of Justice
Oversees courts, sentencing policy, legal aid, prisons and probation (NOMS).
Deterrence
Threat of punishment prevents people from offending.
Public Protection
Protecting society by removing dangerous individuals (e.g. prison sentences).
Retribution
Offenders receive a punishment proportionate to the crime.
Rehabilitation
Reforming offenders to prevent reoffending through support and intervention.
Police Role
Investigate, gather evidence, arrest, and refer cases to CPS.
Court Role
Assess guilt/innocence, determine appropriate sentencing.
Functionalist View
CJS maintains social solidarity, law and order, works with institutions to ensure stability.
Feminist View
CJS is a patriarchal tool. Women face double deviance and are often judged more harshly or disbelieved.
Marxist View
CJS is part of the repressive state apparatus, used by the ruling class to oppress the working class.
