Court Issues

Court Issues

Troy Vella

CJA/394

University of Phoenix

* Court Issues

* Introduction

* The criminal justice system is comprised of government agencies working together to uphold social control through policing, mitigations, incarceration, and rehabilitation. The diversity of the criminal justice system makes it extremely difficult to ensure fundamental fairness while protecting individual rights. The courts are responsible for settling disputes, determining bail, conducting preliminary hearings, determining the admissibility if evidence, and handing down an appropriate sentence once guilt is determined. “The primary function of the courts is to determine the legal guilt of the accused, and to determine the innocence or guilt of the accused beyond a reasonable doubt in regard to the crime or crimes committed” (). To ensure the effectiveness and efficiency within the courtroom, past, present, and future trends regarding civil liberties, language, and victim rights must be maintained.

* Court Process and Issues

* The operations of the courts involve a number of individuals. Those individuals responsible for maintaining and ensuring certain standards are maintained include the Judge, Court officer, Courtroom clerk, Court reporter, Attorney, and Language Interpreter. The Judge is responsible for insuring that justice is served through fair and impartial deliberations. The Judge also maintains the legal procedures within the courtroom making rulings relative to law and instructing the jury as to which law applies to each specific case. Working within the courtroom is not the only function of the Judge. The Judge also conducts pre-trial hearings, does legal research, and a number of other judicial matters. The Court officer calls the court proceedings to order, maintains order within the courtroom, protects the interworking of the courtroom, and assists the Judge in many matters. The Courtroom clerk or Courtroom administrator is a go-between...