5 CORE PURPOSES OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
5 CORE PURPOSES OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
Name the 5 core purposes of the criminal justice system. Define what is meant by deterrence and provide an example. Is it possible to create a method of capital punishment that would actually deter murder—for example, by televising executions?
The criminal justice system serves five core purposes: deterrence, incapacitation, rehabilitation, retribution, and restoration. These core purposes help in meeting the overarching goal of addressing criminal behavior, maintaining societal order, and promoting justice.
Role of Deterrence
Deterrence is meant to discourage people from taking part in criminal activities by imposing penalties or consequences for failing to follow the law. Deterrence can be categorized into two namely: general deterrence and specific deterrence. While general deterrence is designed to discourage the broader public from committing crimes by showing the consequences that those who break the law face, specific deterrence is aimed at dissuading the offenders from repeating criminal behavior by impactfully penalizing them (Joyce & Laverick, 2022). An example of general deterrence is when an individual observes the severe consequences imposed on a person convicted of robbery, such as hefty fines or a lengthy prison sentence that makes the individual less inclined to commit a similar crime due to the fear of facing similar repercussions.
Capital Punishment as a Way of dettering murder
Capital punishment, or the death penalty, as a way of deterring murder, remains a topic that has attracted debates on its legal and ethical aspects. Its advocates argue that the fear of facing death may help deter potential murderers, while its opponents question the effectiveness of the death penalty as a deterrent and emphasize its ethical implications (Platt, 2019).
Televising Execution to Enhance Detterence
The idea of televising execution to enhance deterrence effect seems like a noble course for some who posit that it can assist in broadcasting executions thereby making more people see the consequences of committing heinous crimes more, potentially increasing the perceived severity of punishment and deterring potential offenders. However, there are several ethical concerns involved in such a process as it can lead to desensitization, and sensationalism, and negatively impact the morals of the society. Therefore, it is challenging to determine the effectiveness of capital punishment as a deterrent owing to factors such as the complexities of human behavior, societal factors, and the ethical considerations involved in such a process.
References
Joyce, P., & Laverick, W. (2022). Criminal justice: An introduction. Routledge.
Platt, T. (2019). Beyond these walls: Rethinking crime and punishment in the United States. St. Martin’s Press.
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