AimAim: What is the structure : What is the structure and organization of the and organization of the

Criminal Justice System?Criminal Justice System?

Video: School House Rocks: Video: School House Rocks:

““How a bill becomes lawHow a bill becomes law””

State LawsState Laws

Governmental StructureGovernmental Structure

LegislatureLegislature- -

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

ExecutiveExecutive- -

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

JudiciaryJudiciary- -

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

Agencies of the Criminal Justice SystemAgencies of the Criminal Justice System

1.1. The PoliceThe Police- -

Public agencies charged with Public agencies charged with maintaining order, enforcing criminal maintaining order, enforcing criminal law, provide emergency services, law, provide emergency services, and makes society have a sense of and makes society have a sense of safety. safety.

2.2. The CourtsThe Courts- -

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

3.3. The ProsecutionThe Prosecution- -

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

4.4. Defense AttorneyDefense Attorney- -

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

5.5. CorrectionsCorrections- The jail/prison system. If a - The jail/prison system. If a defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty they will be sentenced by a judge. Many they will be sentenced by a judge. Many times the judge will sentence a defendant times the judge will sentence a defendant to jail or prison.to jail or prison. JailJail- Defendant was sentenced to 364 - Defendant was sentenced to 364

days or lessdays or less PrisonPrison- Defendant was sentenced to 365 - Defendant was sentenced to 365

or more days.or more days. Prisons usually fall in three categories: Prisons usually fall in three categories:

Minimum Security, Medium Security, and Minimum Security, Medium Security, and Maximum Security. Maximum Security.

6.6. ProbationProbation- -

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

7.7. ParoleParole- -

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

ConclusionConclusion

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