Aim: What is the structure and organization of the Criminal Justice System? Video: School House Rocks: “How a bill becomes law”

State Laws

Governmental Structure Legislature- Legislature- The legislatures of the federal, state, and local governments make and design the laws. They vote on laws and send them to the President, Governors, and local leaders. They have the power to override any executive veto. The legislatures of the federal, state, and local governments make and design the laws. They vote on laws and send them to the President, Governors, and local leaders. They have the power to override any executive veto.

Executive- Executive- The President, Governor’s, and Mayors decide to sign or veto bills. If a bill is vetoed it goes back to the legislature and if the bill is signed it becomes law. If the bill is vetoed the Legislature can try to override the veto. The President, Governor’s, and Mayors decide to sign or veto bills. If a bill is vetoed it goes back to the legislature and if the bill is signed it becomes law. If the bill is vetoed the Legislature can try to override the veto.

Judiciary- Judiciary- Interprets all laws and applies them at trial. Appeals Courts and the US Supreme Court decide the Constitutionality of laws. Interprets all laws and applies them at trial. Appeals Courts and the US Supreme Court decide the Constitutionality of laws.

Agencies of the Criminal Justice System 1. The Police- Public agencies charged with maintaining order, enforcing criminal law, provide emergency services, and makes society have a sense of safety. Public agencies charged with maintaining order, enforcing criminal law, provide emergency services, and makes society have a sense of safety.

2. The Courts- The Court system is extensive with local courts, state courts, federal courts, and finally the US Supreme Court. The US Constitution talks about the Supreme Court which is then charged with establishing lower courts. The Court system is extensive with local courts, state courts, federal courts, and finally the US Supreme Court. The US Constitution talks about the Supreme Court which is then charged with establishing lower courts.

3. The Prosecution- Are lawyers who are employed by local, state, or federal governments to prosecute criminals. They are known as Prosecutors, District Attorney, and Lawyers for the people. Criminal cases have the title of “The People of New York vs. ________ ________”. Are lawyers who are employed by local, state, or federal governments to prosecute criminals. They are known as Prosecutors, District Attorney, and Lawyers for the people. Criminal cases have the title of “The People of New York vs. ________ ________”.

4. Defense Attorney- A Defense Attorney defends thos accused of a crime and is expected to obtain the best possible outcome for the accused. They meet with the defendant and get his/her side of the story. A Defense Attorney defends thos accused of a crime and is expected to obtain the best possible outcome for the accused. They meet with the defendant and get his/her side of the story.

5. Corrections- The jail/prison system. If a defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty they will be sentenced by a judge. Many times the judge will sentence a defendant to jail or prison. Jail- Defendant was sentenced to 364 days or less Jail- Defendant was sentenced to 364 days or less Prison- Defendant was sentenced to 365 or more days. Prison- Defendant was sentenced to 365 or more days. Prisons usually fall in three categories: Minimum Security, Medium Security, and Maximum Security. Prisons usually fall in three categories: Minimum Security, Medium Security, and Maximum Security.

6. Probation- Probation is usually given to defendants who have been found guilty or pleaded to crimes that may not require jail. They are then supervised by a Probation Officer who is a LEO. Probation is usually given to defendants who have been found guilty or pleaded to crimes that may not require jail. They are then supervised by a Probation Officer who is a LEO.

7. Parole- Parole is often granted to inmates who have served a certain portion of their sentence with good behavior. They are given credit for time served. When an inmate is released on parole they must report to a Parole Officer who is similar to a Probation Officer.

Conclusion The Criminal Justice System is complex and has many components to it. The system functions well but is usually strained with an overload of cases. The Police, Courts, Prosecution, Defense Attorney’s, and Corrections all work together to make the system work as well as it does.