CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Criminal Justice Process

Criminal Justice Process

What is Criminal Justice Process?

The process of criminal justice process is different among various states and the federal criminal justice system adopts their other own rules, procedures and terms. They are used during the stages of proceedings. The criminal justice process involves the following stages which, will be discussed in the following paragraphs:

Investigation

An investigation carried out by a law enforcement agency for a crime may start in these ways that are:

1. The police inspector might monitor a speeder on the highway who crossed the speed limit mentioned in the boards.

2. Fire shots carried out in the neighborhood might make police respond immediately to the situation.

3. A person who was cheated by a con artist might contact law enforcement officers for reporting the criminal activity. In response, an investigation might be carried out by the police to find out the important matters behind this activity (Adler, 1996).

Search Warrant

When the police officers will have an idea that the collection of evidence regarding the crime is enough for them, they would try to carry out a search warrant which will lead them to search the premises. The information provided by the police to the court is reviewed, by the judges, and, they try to figure out the major reason behind this act. It is also referred as a probable cause that states the police officer has sufficient facts for collecting the evidence regarding the crime, and, then attempting for a search warrant. There is no need of warrant where there are tough circumstances or an emergency situation (Bayley, 1996).

Interrogation

An interrogation of the witnesses can be carried out by the police officers and can ask various questions from the suspected people by taking care of their constitutional rights.

Arrest

Police can arrest certain group of people under these conditions which are:

1. If law enforcement officers believe that there is sufficient reason for a crime committed by a single person, he might be arrested because of suspicion and will be also taken into custody. However, police officers will need an arrest warrant before taking a suspect into custody.

2. When a person commits a dangerous crime that too in front of a police official, then there will be no need for an arrest warrant.

3. If the police officer has a major reason to arrest the person because of the crime he committed, regardless it was committed in front of him, or not, but he will be arrested without any doubt (Cole, 1987).

Complaint, Information or Indictment

Police officers may take a decision to file criminal charges, either before or after arresting a suspect.

1. When the written charges or complaint are filed by the police officers, the criminal justice process might be started immediately in a proper motion.

2. The prosecutor might even lead the criminal justice process in motion by filing written charges known as information.

As far the cases of, a complaint, or information are concerned, the filing of charges allows police officers to detain the accused person in jail with the help ...