United States CriminalJustice System

Some States are Safer: Violent Crime in the United States Safest

Most Dangerous

Crime Measures

UCR

• Uniform Crime Report• Collected by FBI

• Only shows reported crimes

NCVS• National Crime Victimization Survey

• Surveys - 70,000• Accounts for unreported crimes (about 50% of

crimes)

Police Discretion

• Decision of whether or not to enforce the law

Punishment - Justifications

1. Retribution – revenge2. Deterrence – to discourage crime3. Protection – of society

Courts• Backlog of court case• 8 months average between arrest and trial

Plea Bargaining• Plea guilty for a reduced sentence • Common - 85% of cases

Pros: • Reduces back log in courts• Sends more criminals to prison

Cons: • Reduced charges• Not judged• Innocent people can be tempted

Bail

• Money paid for release until trial

Pro:

• Used to relieve stress on the prison system

Cons• Can be dangerous

• Crimes committed while people are out on bail

Technicalities• Miranda Rights

• Police mistakes• Search warrants

• Reliance on DNA Evidence for conviction

Inequality Issues

• Wealthy can afford better lawyers

• African Americans in prison

• Racial profiling

Death Penalty• 72% US citizen favor it

• 1972 - Furman v. Georgia– Unconstitutional

• 1976 – Gregg v. Georgia– Constitutional

• Since 2003 IL –moratorium on death penalty

Executions in the United States

Death Penalty (cont’d)

Methods of Execution• Hanging• Firing squad• Electrocution • Lethal gas• Lethal injection (primary method used 80%

since 1977)