Criminal Justice System (CJS)

Question 1

Define Criminal Justice?

Answer 1

‘about society’s formal response to crime… a series of decisions and actions taken by a number of agencies in response to a specific crime or criminal’ (DAVIES ET AL 2010)

Question 2

What are the 3 main agencies of the CJS?

Answer 2

Ministry of Justice, Home Office, Attorney General

Question 3

What is the Ministry of Justice?

Answer 3

responsible for: criminal law, criminal courts, sentencing and prisons
deals with: youth justice, judicial, and appointments
links to: Human Rights NOMS

Question 4

What is the Home Office?

Answer 4

deals with: security and counter-terrorism, policing, immigration
responsible for: crime reduction, community safety
links to: identity and citizenship

Question 5

what is the Attorney General?

Answer 5

deals with: director of public prosecution, CPS (Crown Protection Service)
responsible for: serious fraud, revenue and customs
leads to: prosecutions

Question 6

What is the purpose/form of governance?

Answer 6

1. imposing and maintaining social order = important otherwise society will not function. E.g. following road signs to prevent car crashes
2. resolving disputes
3. managing risks = preventing future offences via surveillance.

Question 7

What are the 2 models that Herbert Packer introduced?

Answer 7

1. due process model
2. crime control model

Question 8

what is the due process model?

Answer 8

(Justice)
- believes in rights for suspects and equality
- is complicated and has many rules
- restraint of arbitrary power, e.g. police
- presumption of innocence
- limitation = tolerates acquittal of guilty

Question 9

what is the crime control model?

Answer 9

(punishment)
- conviction of the guilty is a priority
- criminal justice agencies as crime fighters
- extensive powers for police
- high conviction rate
- limitation = tolerates conviction of innocent