Numerous professions are accessible to those with a criminal justice degree. From police officers and fish and game wardens to court bailiffs, this field deals with one of society’s most challenging problems.
A criminal justice bachelor’s degree can also help you prepare for law school. It is an essential consideration because it will give you a strong understanding of the issues you will confront when practicing law.
What is Criminal Justice?
Whether you want to help keep communities safe, fight for justice as a paralegal, or use your forensic skills to uncover evidence in court, a criminal justice degree prepares you for various careers. But first, you need a clear understanding of how the system works.
Throughout history, private citizens resolved crimes through blood feuds, trials by ordeal, and other methods based on the ancient philosophy of “an eye for an eye.” To create modern societies with order and laws to protect citizens, governments developed police systems, established courts, and built prisons.
A bachelors in criminal justice degree provides an academic foundation to explore criminology, sociology, and other social science disciplines. You may choose a Bachelor of Science (BS) or Arts (BA) program. The BA option likely offers a broader curriculum with liberal arts courses like English and math. A BS program focuses more on criminal justice and may include career-oriented internships.
What is the Criminal Justice System’s Objective?
The goal of criminal justice is to ensure the protection of citizens and the punishment of offenders. It involves a network of government agencies and institutions that work together to deter crime, punish perpetrators, and compensate victims.
The system includes law enforcement, prosecutors and defense lawyers, courts, and corrections facilities. It is designed to support the ideals of legal justice based on laws that define citizen rights and a society that respects those rights.
While most people associate the criminal justice field with police officers patrolling the streets and judges presiding over the courtroom, the career options for a degree in this subject are broad and diverse. A bachelor’s in criminal justice can prepare graduates for criminology, social work, and psychology careers. In addition, online programs can allow students to pursue a degree while maintaining their current employment or pursuing internships. Choosing a criminal justice program depends on your career aspirations and interests.
What is the Role of Criminal Justice in Society?
Historically, the role of criminal justice has been to punish behaviors deemed unacceptable by society. While the means of punishment have changed from mutilation to imprisonment, the essential functions have remained the same.
The criminal justice system comprises four major components: police, courts, corrections, and parole. The goal of these subsystems is to reduce crime in the community.
Police agencies enforce the law, protect the public, and investigate suspected crimes. Prosecutors, at both the state and federal levels, are lawyers who prosecute alleged offenders and determine guilt or innocence. Courts hear and decide criminal cases and may order offenders into treatment programs.
Corrections facilities house convicted felons and monitor their behavior. The system also provides parole and probation services to those released from prison. Research has shown that combining supervision and treatment strategies is more effective than using either approach alone. Fiscal pressures have prompted many state and local governments to seek more innovative ways to invest limited criminal justice resources.
What is the Future of Criminal Justice?
Whether through digital forensics or predictive policing, the criminal justice system uses technology to improve its outcomes and reduce crime. However, it is essential to remember that the increased use of technology may also have unintended consequences.
For example, the increased use of GPS tracking can impact citizens’ reasonable expectation of privacy. Also, the use of audio and video recording devices in the interrogation process can lead to false confessions. Criminal justice professionals must carefully consider these issues.
Another issue is the continued growth of mass incarceration. While incarceration serves many vital purposes, it is also expensive and ineffective in reducing crime. One way to combat this problem is by implementing reforms focusing on rehabilitation and mental health services for offenders. Another way is establishing incarceration alternatives, such as community-based rehabilitation and job skills training programs. By implementing these changes, the criminal justice system can better serve its victims and promote safety for all members of society.
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