criminal justice system
Law enforcement apparatus
The criminal justice system is the network of institutions and processes that handle crime—police, courts, and corrections.
It encompasses investigation, arrest, prosecution, trial, and punishment.
The system varies by jurisdiction but generally aims to enforce laws, determine guilt, and administer sentences: The criminal justice system failed her.
Critics debate whether it prioritizes punishment or rehabilitation.
- prosecutorsLawyers representing the state
- wardensSupervisory officials of institutions
- magistratesCivil judicial officers
- reentry programsPost-release prisoner support
- legislatorsElected law-making officials
police · defense attorneys · parole · incarceration · prison industrial complex · probation officers · Miranda rights · public defenders · court appointed · bail hearing · criminologists · recidivism · judges · sentencing · three strikes · life sentence · exoneration · prison guards
criminal justice systemcivil justice system
Legal apparatus for disputes
civil litigation · civil law · civil courts · administrative law · arbitration
criminal justice systemrestorative justice
Conflict resolution through mutual healing
community justice · reconciliation · truth and reconciliation · reconciliation process · rehabilitation
criminal justice systemanarchy
Disorder from absent authority
lawlessness · chaos · state of nature · vigilantism · failed state