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That identifies a problem or issue in criminal justice
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Running Head: US CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
US Criminal Justice System
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US CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
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US Criminal Justice System
The criminal justice systems across the world are supposed to serve all the people
equally. When the criminal justice is fair to all people, the people served by this criminal justice
system would feel that they have an equal society. But, societies like the American one have
been blamed of a criminal justice that profiles other communities. African Americans for a long
time have accused their criminal justice system of racial profiling. They have been treated
unfairly not just by the police alone, but also by the judicial courts which are supposed to serve
them equally. In essence, criminal justice system to some extent fails to administer justice to all,
seemingly due to societal differences that profile other communities, especially based on their
race.
Origins in the Developments of American Criminal Justice system
Like any other criminal justice system, that of America is classified as police, courts, and
corrections. These three areas of the criminal justice have their own history as far as
development is concerned. Thus, it is important to address them separately and focus on how
each area has succeeded or failed to administer justice.
Nevertheless, historically American society had not developed its own criminal justice
system until the end of the colonial period. The colonial masters imposed their own rules and
laws, which denied Americans an opportunity to administer criminal justice independently.
However, when the colonial era came to a bitter end in the late 1700s, Americans had to start
their own criminal justice to guide behaviors in the society (Schmalleger, et, al, 2014).
Most interesting in the developments in the America’s criminal justice is that at some
point religion was used to shape social behaviors. Being a Christian-dominated society, any sin
US CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
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committed attracted a serious punishment. Hence, Americans were not allowed to commit any
sacrileges, profanities, and blasphemy. Any American that could commit it could be punished
heavily, even through stoning. It is noteworthy too that, even during the colonial period most
laws or rules guiding the American society, were abstracted from the bible. Offenders could also
be whipped seriously, to be a lesson to other Americans who could be attempted to commit a
crime (Schmalleger, et, al, 2014).
Nonetheless, when the colonial era ended, America started expanding its geographical
location. Expansion brought many people to the society, and it became necessary to shape the
behaviors of the society, through a formal way. Also, as the American population increased,
religion became less effective, prompting the establishment of some laws to guide the society on
how it should behave or conduct itself.
Unfortunately, the inception of moral laws, to replace religion to some large extent
results in violations of laws. Most Americans could not withstand the moral laws, and they
found themselves on the wrong side of the law. Morality laws received thorough resistance at the
onset, as Americans claimed that they were used to the law of God as opposed to the laws being
introduced (Schmalleger et, al, 2014). But, as time proceeded it Americans had to become used
to the morality laws, though gradually.
Ideally, the religion, societal expansion and increase of population greatly shaped the
American justice system. At some point, religion was rendered less effective, as morality laws
took up the mantle. Although they were viewed less effective, as ...