Sentencing Of The Criminal Justice System Essay - 1514 Words

Sentencing criminals in court is not the easiest thing to for anyone involved, it’s usually a lengthy process that must go through examining evidence, interviewing witnesses and of course listening to the defense. When an offender has been found guilty, a judge must decide what their retribution will be, usually referring to set guidelines. These guidelines help judges decide what punishment would be best based on the offense, criminal history, whether a weapon was used, and many other facts. These judges follow what is known as the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines (Champion 111). These guidelines may seem like a straightforward set of rules, but they are practically the complete opposite. They are extremely controversial as well as all the other sentencing laws like the three-strikes law, and mandatory minimums. All of these sentencing structures were supposed to help the criminal justice system, but there has been a lot of controversy about how it actually affects people and to society as a whole. Since the creation of sentencing the whole point of a trial was supposed to be fair, but that wasn’t happening and it became apparent. Slavery was abolished in 1865 but yet African Americans and other minorities were still being punished because of the color of their skin. This would happen in the worst of ways such as sentencing them to prison to get rid of them. Most of these people were innocent and many had a extensive sentence for an incredibly small offense. Most big figures inShow MoreRelatedThe Sentencing Policy And The Criminal Justice System1065 Words   |  5 PagesThere are many current criminal justice policies and laws that demonstrate how the policy has been informed by the theories that have been covered this semester. Many connections are not explicit but offer great detail in offering information based on the given topics. The current criminal justice policy that I’ve chosen was the sentencing policy. The sentencing policy was put together to reach ev ery type of case that could possibly be seen in the criminal justice system. Here we will further discussRead MoreThe Goals of Sentencing in the Criminal Justice System1747 Words   |  7 PagesThe Goals of Sentencing in the Criminal Justice System By: Brian Ouellette Criminal Justice CCJ 1020 Mr. Leonardo Cadogan Abstract In the United States there is no standard when it comes to punishment and sentencing. This area of the  criminal justice system is in a constant state of change. Sentencing practices and goals are always being closely examined. From getting tough on crime to more rehabilitative approaches, the views and goals of sentencing are always beingRead MoreDeath Penalty Sentencing and the Criminal Justice System619 Words   |  2 Pagesdeath penalty sentencing procedures within the American criminal justice system suggests that the legal and moral authority to execute condemned criminals granted to a government has been tested time and time again, only to be reaffirmed by the Supreme Court. While the 1960s saw a series of failed attempts to ban the practice, launched by death penalty abolitionist groups firm in their belief that murder can never be justified, it was not until 1972 that a majority of Supreme Court justices ruled toRead MoreSentencing Of The United States Criminal Just ice System1778 Words   |  8 Pages Abstract This essay explains sentencing in the United States Criminal Justice system. The objectives of punishment in the United States corrections is to help deter crime and to ensure reoffenders don’t reoffend. Sentencing impacts the corrections system and society in a positive manor by eliminating offenders out of the community. Sentencing may include one of the following: probation, fines, prison, community service, probation and so forth depending on the state you reside and the type of offenseRead MoreCritical Issues in the American Criminal Justice System - Sentencing Decisions and the Death Penalty4477 Words   |  18 PagesCritical Issues in the American Criminal Justice System: Sentencing Decisions and the Death Penalty Richard W Ramsay Dr. Allen Lowery CJ 6624 – Court Administration December 1, 2010 Abstract This paper discusses three critical issues in the criminal justice system. It touches on the general issues of punishment philosophies, sentence decision making, and prison overcrowding and focused more specifically on the negative effects of each. Highlighted in this informational paperRead MoreThe Criminal Justice System Has Over Time Implemented And Changed The Means Of Sentencing And Punishment Essay1459 Words   |  6 PagesOur criminal justice system has over time implemented and changed the means of sentencing and punishment for crimes. In the United States plea deals are accountable for 90% of criminal cases. A plea deal is an agreement between prosecutor and defendant in whom the defendant accepts a guilty plea to a charge and in return receives some type of concession from the prosecution. As we have moved forward in the judicial system and now have the ability to look back on previous cases, plea deals have becomeRead MoreEssay on Victim and Crime Evulation1159 Words    |  5 PagesMay 5, 2014 Joeseph Caulfield The Criminal Justice system today is our scale of judgment. It plays a major part in how we live and how we continue to live among all the dangers, evil and corruption that surrounds us. Without it there wouldn`t be the fine line of right and wrong, there wouldn`t be justice. Those that are considered victims in our criminal justice would turn and become the aggressors and the criminals if we didn`t have a Legal System, and we would live in a world of chaos. ManyRead MoreRacial Disparity in Sentencing1728 Words   |  7 PagesDisparity in Sentencing Lori Raynor University of Phoenix Cultural Diversity in Criminal Justice CJA/423 Ron McGee September 06, 2010 Abstract In this paper I will illustrate racial disparity in sentencing in the criminal justice system. The causes of racial disparity and the reasons it is on the rise, the research statistics, and the proposed solutions are discussed. Racial Disparity in Sentencing The intersection of racial dynamics with the criminal justice system is one ofRead MoreProcess of the Criminal Justice System and Its Structure924 Words   |  4 PagesThe process of the Criminal Justice system and its structure The process of the Criminal Justice system works around flexibility and compassion to the individual attempting, far more than it used to, to refrain from formulating biased and impulsive judgment. All situations of the individuals case and background are taken into consideration and various programs exist to afford the individual the opportunity of reforming rather than being punished. Similarly, too, the more serious the crime, theRead MoreDeterminate Sentencing, Impacts, and Recent Trends986 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿Determinate Sentencing, Impacts, and Recent Trends Table of Contents Introduction: 3 Determinate Sentencing: 3 Impact on Probationary Terms: 4 Reasons for choosing mandatory minimum jail and prison sentences: 4 Role of Mandatory Sentences in Reducing Recidivism: 5 Conclusion: 6 References: 6 Introduction: The legal system is reliant on two different approaches for sentencing the offenders. The determinate and indeterminate sentencing is discussed in detail. The recent trend towards determinate