Criminal Justice Trends Evaluation

This paper will evaluate the past, future, and present trends in the interface between components of the criminal justice system and criminal justice connections with surrounding society. In this paper I will also evaluate, identify, and access the following in my paper: Recent and future trends and contemporary issues affecting the criminal justice system, as well as the value of the criminal justice system in a changing society.

Criminal Justice Trends Evaluation

As we all know, we all rely on the criminal justice system to protect us as a community, and to also enlighten us about what is going on within our communities. Lets face it, every citizen wants to be safe in knowing that he or she can safely walk the streets without facing some type of threat to his or her life. To begin with, the criminal justice system is a field that will forever evolve. As technology changes, so will the criminal justice system.

Past Trends

The main goal of the criminal justice system is to protect and serve the community. In order to do so, the criminal justice system must be able aware and knowledgeable as to what is going on in society. The criminal justice system has changed as a whole. In today’s world, the focus is more on the protection and equality of it’s citizens. According to America's System Of Criminal Justice (1967), [Any criminal justice system is an apparatus society uses to enforce the standards of conduct necessary to protect individuals and the community. It operates by apprehending, prosecuting, convicting, and sentencing those members of the community who violate the basic rules of group existence. The action taken against lawbreakers is designed to serve three purposes beyond the immediately punitive one. It removes dangerous people from the community; it deters others from criminal behavior; and it gives society an opportunity to attempt to transform lawbreakers into law-abiding citizens. What most significantly distinguishes the system of one country from that of another is the extent and the form of the protection it offers individuals in the process of determining guilt and imposing punishment](para. 3). In earlier times technology was not as advanced as it is now. There were no such things as patrol cars, radio’s or many other advantages that officers have now. In earlier times officers were required to patrol by foot in order to protect the community. However, citizens felt much safer in earlier times. It was almost as though safety was the least of their worries. Citizens could leave home with their door unlocked, they could trust their neighbors, as so they also had very close relationships with law enforcement. However, in addition, policing has changed in many ways. Criminals were often given many