Criminal Justice Axia College Week 2

Criminal justice has five components. The first component of criminal justice is law enforcement. The people that are on the law enforcement teams take reports of the crime that happens in areas that he or she works in. Officers have to investigate the crimes and analyze the evidence. Law enforcement officers may make arrest, make testimonies in front of the court, and conduct follow-up investigations when they are needed.

Prosecutors are the lawyers that represent the state or the federal government throughout the court process. The prosecutors examine the evidence that was brought to him or her by the law enforcement officers. After reviewing the evidence that was brought to him or her; he or she decides whether to prosecute or drop the charges against the person who was arrested. Prosecutors present the evidence that they have to the courts. Prosecutors also have to examine the witnesses to the crime, and then he or she makes the decision to negotiate a plea bargain with the defendant.

Defense attorneys are the lawyers are the ones that defend the accused person in the case. Defense attorneys are either hired by the defendant or appointed to them due to not being able to afford an attorney. The defense attorney represents the defendant while the prosecutors represent the state.

Courts are run by judges whose role is to make sure that the law is followed. The judge makes the decision whether or not to release the criminal before trial or to keep him or her in custody until the trial date. Judges approve plea bargains, oversee trials, and sentence the convicted offenders.

Corrections can either be the county jail or prison. In correction facilities there are officers there that work for either the county jail or the prison. These officers make sure that the prisoners are safe and obeying the law in the facilities. The people who are sentenced probation are also under corrections. He or she is appointed a probation officer that he or she has to meet with...