what it takes to start a high school criminal justice program

Whether you're captivated by criminology, fascinated with the legal system or passionate about the rehabilitation of offenders, there's a lot in the criminal justice profession that intrigues you. Individuals from all walks of life are drawn to this field for many reasons.

But even if you are interested in the field, y'all may still exist wondering: What does criminal justice mean? How does the criminal justice system work?

Nosotros spoke with seasoned experts to get the answers to all your questions. If you're curious about the criminal justice arrangement, read on to acquire more. You may find your future career lies in this field.

What is criminal justice?

Let's first with a curtailed criminal justice definition: "Criminal justice is the structure of laws, rules and agencies designed to hold criminals accountable for their misdeeds and help them to restore their victims every bit much as possible," explains Lizbeth Meredith, former juvenile probation supervisor and victim advocate.

In the Us, in that location is no atypical criminal justice arrangement. Rather, at that place are many individual systems working in concert. How they piece of work depends on the jurisdiction in accuse — whether information technology is a city, county, land, federal, tribal government or military installation. Laws, agencies and proceedings tin can vary among jurisdictions. To complicate matters further, criminal justice operates at both the land and federal levels, depending on the location of the criminal offense.

Many people automatically remember of police officers when they hear the term, just the field actually encompasses much more than law enforcement. Attorney Michael Hernandez breaks down the criminal justice organisation into the following three areas:

• Law enforcement : Criminal justice professionals who enforce laws and auscultate violators. This area besides includes the programs and efforts designed to prevent criminal activeness.
• The court system : Courts prosecute criminal cases and defend against those prosecutions, while protecting witnesses and victims who come up forward to participate in court proceedings. The court system is besides responsible for analyzing and creating new laws that prohibit or penalize behavior.
• C orrectio ns: Correctional agencies are tasked with the housing, punishment and rehabilitation of law offenders.

Many individuals are needed to work across the iii pillars of the criminal justice organisation. It takes all kinds of people to keep each branch running smoothly. Go on reading for details about the dissimilar paths you can take in this field.

Types of criminal justice professionals

Law enforcement agencies, courts, and corrections facilities all rely on dedicated and trained staff. Learn more almost the dissimilar positions that work to uphold the law, protect citizens and create a just society.

Law enforcement careers

In law enforcement, officers patrol and report any criminal activity they discover in their areas. They arrest offenders, investigate crimes, gather evidence and provide testimony in court. Common types of law enforcement positions include:

• Constabulary officers
• Sheriffs
• Patrolmen
• Police investigators
• Police detectives
• Federal agents

While hiring standards vary, most entry-level police force officer jobs require a high school diploma or GED. However, many police enforcement officers choose to pursue a 4-year degree in criminal justice because information technology increases the potential for higher salaries and advancement opportunities.

Court-related careers

Prosecutors, at both the land and federal levels, are lawyers who review evidence and decide whether to file charges against an private. They bring cases to court, where they nowadays evidence, question witnesses and, above all, carry the brunt of proof in their quests for convictions.

Defense lawyers are on the opposite side of the courtroom, representing defendants who have been charged with a law-breaking. These lawyers ensure their clients receive adequate representation throughout the court proceedings. While prosecutors represent the government, defense attorneys correspond those who are facing criminal charges.

There are many types of lawyers on both the prosecution and defence sides, including:

• Metropolis attorneys
• District attorneys
• Attorneys general
• United States attorneys
• Canton public defenders
• Alternate public defenders
• Federal defenders

Beyond lawyers, many other professionals work within the court organization to help lead and support legal proceedings. These positions include the following:

• Judges
• Paralegals
• Court clerks
• Court reporters
• Courtroom officers
• Process servers
• Victim advocates
• Witness coordinators

If you're considering working in the court system, a bachelor'due south in legal studies is an ideal caste. This program helps develop skills like critical thinking and fluency in legal concepts that are essential for success. Aspiring paralegals also accept the pick to pursue a paralegal profession concentration to develop specific skills and knowledge needed to back up lawyers by conducting legal research, drafting formal documents and organizing materials for court presentations.

Corrections careers

"Corrections" is the term used to describe the network of agencies overseeing incarcerated individuals and those in rehabilitation, parole or probation. Depending on the severity of the crime and the criminal's history, the private may be sent to jail or prison, or they may receive another form of punitive measures.

In less severe cases, offenders may receive probation in lieu of serving jail time, which includes regular cheque-ins with their probation officers, and they may be ordered to pay fines or serve customs-service hours. Some felons may exist released from prison and placed on parole in society to serve the rest of their sentences under close supervision in their communities.

At that place are several professionals who dedicate their careers to the corrections branch of criminal justice, where they assist oversee and reform convicted offenders. This includes the post-obit positions:

• Corrections officers
• Probation officers
• Parole officers
• Rehabilitation specialists
• Corrections counselors
• Wardens

Considering correctional officers are employed by local, state and federal governments, the educational requirements vary. To piece of work in a federal prison, for example, a four-twelvemonth caste is mandatory. In many states, you lot tin pursue a career in corrections with a high school diploma or GED. But a bachelor's degree, especially in a relevant field like criminal justice or criminology, will fix y'all apart from those without university experience.

Make a departure in the criminal justice system

And then what is criminal justice, exactly? It's not just  about law enforcement. It'due south an unabridged sprawling system overseeing unlawful action, imposing penalties on those who violate the law and working to ensure the violators don't reoffend.

The criminal justice system relies on dedicated professionals across all branches, from law enforcement to offender rehabilitation. Criminal justice professionals enforce and uphold the law — and information technology takes a passionate and valiant person to step up to this level of responsibility.

If you feel a calling to pursue a rewarding career in this exciting field, learn more almost how University of Massachusetts Global'southward bachelor's degree paths in legal studies or criminal justice can get y'all started on the right track.

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Source: https://www.umassglobal.edu/news-and-events/blog/what-is-criminal-justice

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