Issues in Criminal Justice

Paper Summary:

This paper describes the multifaceted problem of police abuse in the United States. The paper looks at the reasons why it is so pervasive and its constitutional, legal, and ethical implications for society. The paper also talks about the difficulties inherent in police work, why officers often succumb to abusive practices, and what can be done to help alleviate the problem.

From the Paper:

"There are two fundamentally different types of court cases -- criminal and civil. A criminal case arises when the government seeks to punish an individual for an act that has been classified as a crime by Congress or a state legislature. A civil case, on the other hand, usually has to do with a dispute over the rights and duties that individuals and organizations legally owe to each other. There are significant differences between criminal and civil cases. For instance, in a criminal case a prosecutor, not the crime victim, initiates and controls the case. The prosecutor may file criminal charges even if the victim doesn't approve, or refuse to file criminal charges despite the victim's desire that criminal charges be filed. This method of beginning the case contrasts with civil cases where the injured party is the one who initiates the procedure. A person convicted of a crime may pay a fine or be incarcerated or both. Instead, people who are held responsible in civil cases may have to pay money damages or give up property, but do not go to jail or prison."

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