Criminal Justice: Plea Bargaining and Appeals

Overview of the Criminal Justice System

• The criminal justice system operates under the three branches of government: legislative, judicial, and executive.
• Each branch has distinct responsibilities but collaborates across federal, state, and local levels.

Roles of Government Levels

• Federal Government: Oversees national criminal justice functions, including national law enforcement and federal law enforcement agencies.
• State Governments: Responsible for creating criminal laws and managing state correctional facilities.
• Local Governments: Primarily handle law enforcement and jail operations.

Role of the Legislature

• Legislatures create laws, defining crimes and corresponding punishments through statutes and codes.
• Most criminal laws in the U.S. come from state legislatures, reflecting the dual federalist system in governance.
• Legislatures provide essential financial support for criminal justice agencies, ensuring ongoing operations.

Role of the Judiciary

• The judiciary consists of trial courts (which determine guilt and impose sentences) and appellate courts (which review cases for potential errors).
• Plea bargaining is common, with most defendants opting to plead guilty rather than going to trial.
• Judicial review allows appellate courts to assess the constitutionality of laws enacted by legislatures.

Role of the Executive

• The executive branch enforces laws, with leaders like the President and governors appointing key criminal justice officials.
• Public officials set criminal justice agendas and respond to public needs while managing interests of victims and defendants.
• Discretion in law enforcement and judicial roles can significantly impact the criminal justice system's operation.

Common Objectives of the Criminal Justice System

• Efficiency: Utilizing resources effectively to achieve public safety and operational objectives.
• Effectiveness: Ensuring equity and proportionality in enforcing laws and protecting constitutional rights.
• Fairness: Providing due process, ensuring equal treatment under the law, and maintaining individual rights throughout the justice process.

Constitutional Framework

• The U.S. operates two separate criminal justice systems: federal and state, with differing processes and practices.
• Most law enforcement occurs locally, leading to state-level handling of the majority of criminal cases.
• The federal system intervenes primarily in cases involving federal laws or constitutional issues.

Nonsystem Argument

• Critics argue that the criminal justice system is fragmented and lacks a cohesive structure, operating independently across various agencies.
• This lack of coordination leads to debates about the effectiveness and efficiency of the criminal justice framework.

Rules and Regulations

• The criminal justice system operates under a hierarchy of laws, beginning with the U.S. Constitution and its amendments.
• Federal and state statutes govern criminal procedures, with specific agency regulations outlining operational protocols for criminal justice agents.

Discretion in the Criminal Justice System

• Discretion allows professionals within the system to make decisions based on the specifics of each case, promoting adaptability.
• Conversely, misuse of discretion can lead to biased practices, affecting fairness and equality in treatment of different individuals.

Juvenile Justice Developments

• Historically, children were treated as adults under common law; significant changes emerged in the 19th century recognizing developmental differences between children and adults.
• The Juvenile Court Movement, beginning in 1899, emphasized rehabilitation over punishment for youth offenders, reflecting societal shifts in recognizing children’s need for guidance and treatment.