CRMJ 254 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Misdemeanor
2 Feb 2017
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Document Summary
Federalism: powers and responsibilities are divided between national and state governments. Each acts according to its own interests: federal and individual state governments have distinct and independent systems of justice: Bodies of law to define appropriate conduct for all, and to restrict the actions of representatives of the government. Law enforcement agencies to enforce laws and investigate crimes. Court systems to interpret law, prosecute criminal cases, and determine guilt. Federal: adjudication, many different trial courts throughout states. Correctional systems to punish and/or rehabilitate convicted offenders. Jails vs. prisons: jail is primarily for misdemeanor crimes or those awaiting trial who have not yet been convicted of a crime, prison primarily is for felonies more serious crimes. Discretion: making decisions should cases move on to the next step of the process, once a crime has occurred, various actors . Use their discretion to determine what should happen next.
