Criminal Justice Authority Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Criminal Justice Authority - Essay Example Individuals ought to obey the law and ensure that they do not go against the rules set by the state. Criminal justice authority needs to conform to the provisions of the law before administering the law (Government of Alberta, 2011). Impunity in the practice of duties should be shunned for it causes mistrust amongst the citizens. There is a need to have a procedure of carrying out activities which offer protection to the citizens from the criminals. The civilian oversight committees play a very pertinent role of balancing the powers of the criminal justice authority (Terrill, 2009). Despite the fact that the criminals are evil doers, they need to be protected from the coercion of rough law enforcers. Discretionary authority can create opportunistic moments whereby coercion of criminals or suspects is upheld (Bruce, 2002). Introduction Criminal justice system practices act of upholding social control, mitigating and deterring crime. Criminal justice is used in sanctioning the individu als who go against the laws set by with rehabilitation efforts and criminal penalties. People accused of crime have protections against abuse of prosecution and investigatory powers. Law is a system of rules enforced through a number of societal institutions (Bruce, 2002). The law serves the purpose of maintaining order in the society by the provision of set of rules which govern the conduct. There is criminal and civil law used in the practice of law in society. Civil laws are the rules and regulations which control grievances and transactions between the citizens in a society while criminal law concerns dangerous actions to the society (Jernigan, 2007). In criminal law, prosecution is pursued by the state rather than individuals. Criminal law provides definitions for crime and possible prescriptions for sentences for the committing of the crime in question (Government of Alberta, 2011). Discretionary authority personnel Discretionary authority entails that there is open authority practice over the criminals. If this authority is not checked, it has its excesses because many people become victims of torture and harassing from the law enforcers. There is a need to have civilians who are non-aligned to forces as a check to the measures in the manner justice is delivered to the victims or criminals. It is not in orders to delivery justice by bending the law because it would spoil the image of the law (Bruce, 2002). The civilian oversight committee helps in affirming confidence to the police departments to the public. They are the check elements who represent the citizens in ensuring that the police follow the law in performing their duties (Terrill, 2009). Civilian oversight committee Civilian oversight committees play a great role in ensuring that the police are fully investigated in case they commit crime sin prevention of the same crime. The term oversight means an ongoing practice whereby each police is held accountable for his or her actions. The committee focuses on achieving accountability by division of power within the law enforcing organization for the purposes of close monitoring. This committee brings forth a democratic society which responds to the concerns of the majority (Government of Alberta, 2011). There is accountability between the oversight bodies and policing departments. The measures