Criminal Justice Paper

According to the FBI and other sources, an estimated 16000 homicides occur each year in the United States (2013). If the math is done this would equate to 44 per day. Homicide rates unfortunately are growing and the numbers may not be a true reflection given that they are only the ones that have been reported or investigated. The following information will be an in-depth look at the criminal justice process from arrest to release involving the murder case of Joseph Ronan. The defendant in this case is John Burke.

The first step in any crime has two different perspectives. One being that the crime is actually being committed by the person and the other being that the crime is discovered or reported by someone else. In this case a young man, Joseph Ronan, was found dead having been shot three times. This crime was reported by the victim’s grandfather who was in the house at the time of the murder. He reported to have heard three gunshots downstairs. The police arrived and investigated what happened. Upon their investigation they discovered that a series of text messages between the victim and John Burke were sent discussing the two meeting at the victim’s residence. This led the police to their initial and primary suspect which in turn led to the first stage of criminal justice processing, arrest.

John Burke was initially brought in for questioning in regards to the murder and ultimately arrested and held on the charge of murder in the first degree. After the police question the suspect they make the determination based on the information gathered whether or not to pass the case onto the ADA. In this case they felt he had committed the crime so he would be held in the county or local jail for to await his preliminary hearing or arraignment. This entails fingerprints being taken, his personal items being inventoried and stored, and him being placed in a secure cell. At this time he will have the ability to communicate with his lawyer. This is a...