Components of the Criminal Justice System

The criminal justice system consists of three main components. Those components are policing, courts, and corrections. Each component will be defined according to the American criminal justice system. The primary function of each component will also be identified, and two examples of each component will be given. The ultimate goal in the criminal justice system is “(1) the need to enforce the law and to maintain public order and (2) the need to protect individuals from injustice, especially at the hands of the criminal justice system” (Schmalleger, 2018). The criminal procedure and the processing of offenders will also be described in detail.

Who are the police? What is the function of the police? Police are government officials in charge of regulating and controlling affairs within the community. Police are designed “to regulate, control, or keep order with or as if with a law enforcement agency” (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/police). The functions of the police are to enforce the law, investigate crimes, apprehend criminals, maintain public order, prevent, and reduce crime, and ensure community safety. Two examples of policing are the television show “Cops” and the movie “Bad Boys”.

The television show “Cops” display a real life example of crimes that are committed in today’s