government agencies that enforce CRIMINAL JUSTICE

government agencies that enforce CRIMINAL JUSTICE

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Criminal justice involves giving justice to individuals who have perpetrated crimes. There are various government agencies and social and legal institutions that enforce criminal laws according to laid down procedural limitations and rules. The goals and objectives of the criminal justice system include preventing the occurrence of other crimes, rehabilitating the law-breakers, and offering moral support for the victims. I do not believe that the justice system is working. The primary functions of a criminal justice system include enforcing the law, fair adjudication, retaliatory or retribution punishment, restoration, rehabilitation, and deterrence of other future crimes. In the case of Michael, the system has failed, primarily to rehabilitate, restore, and prevent future crimes. The provided article reveals that Michael has been to the juvenile court previously as well as has served a detention period before. Furthermore, people are wondering why authorities have done nothing to stop Michael from stealing. Therefore, the article clearly shows the failure of the justice system. Michael should serve in juvenile detention. In juvenile detention centers, youthful offenders receive counseling, protection, education, and follow a structured schedule. The main goals of the juvenile detention center include offering education, security, and rehabilitation to young people as well as encouraging them to adopt positive changes in their lives (Sullivan, 2018). Furthermore, the structured schedules followed to enable the detainees to become responsible and disciplined. Provision of classes to the detainees involving physical education and academic instructions enlighten them on their responsibilities as youths. Carrying out daily activities alongside supervision nurture and instill discipline to the detainees, which, to an extent, will discipline them in the outside world after release. Therefore, juvenile detention with well-maintained management and institutional structure would serve better for Michael than jail.

Michael’s mother believes that the police department is to blame for the son’s continued arrest. The mother believes that the justice system has inadequately enforced the law to her son, and the system has done little in stopping Michael from stealing. If the police department would have previously acted on the stealing issue seriously, then Michael would have stopped from stealing trucks, cars, and school buses. As a result, Michael would not have had police arrest him afterward. However, the police department claims otherwise. According to the Springfield Police Chief Philip Thorne, Michael has significant problems that require urgent care and attention. Furthermore, Defense Attorney Waylon Graham believes Michael has serious mental health problems. The mother confirms Michael’s changed behaviors after the passing of his sister but cannot understand why the justice system allows her son the freedom to commit the crime repeatedly. To confirm the reasons for Michael’s changed behavior and why he is repeatedly committing the crime, the system should refer him to a professional counselor. I would not recommend the justice system interrogation to find the root causes for Michael’s problem since he may not fully confide with the police. A professional counselor who well understands human development would be of great importance in the rehabilitation process of Michael. Michael would easily confide with the counselor since a counselor, in most cases, provides a relaxed, comfortable, and friendly environment. Through several sessions with the counselor, Michael would gradually change behaviors positively. Since Michael is still young, rectifying his developing corrupt practices is much easier than if he was an adult. Moreover, since Michael stealing vehicles is cropping up behavior which he is not fully into, changing the practice is much easier than if he was to be fully into committing the crime. Therefore, the mother and the justice system should work hand in hand to salvage Michael’s behavior.

Reference

Sullivan, K. (2018). Education Systems in Juvenile Detention Centers. BYU Educ. & LJ, 71.