Shannon Robertson CJ-112 7-1 Journal: Careers and High Expecations 10/15/2021 7-1 Journal: Careers and High Expectations 1. Choose a career from each of the three components of the criminal justice system. There are many careers that the criminal justice system is comprised of. The careers I will focus on are that of a police officer, judge, and correctional officer. 2. Summarize each career (including its professional standards). 3. Explain how the three careers represent the component they belong to. For example, if your suggested career is a victim rights advocate, which component (policing, courts, corrections) does this career most closely align to, and how is it representative of the goals or mission of that component? Explain how the three careers work together. State police officer: State police officers are important representatives of the diverse police force that exists here in the U.S. They perform many similar duties to their municipal counterparts. Typical functions of state police officers include enforcing state statutes, making arrests, testifying in court, applying self -defense tactics and the use of firearms when appropriate, communicating both verbally and orally, knowing and applying arrest, search, and seizure laws, and driving in pursuits while using self-defense and or lifesaving techniques while transporting a patient to the hospital in applicable situations. They are, by statute, often authorized to control highway traffic, but may also conduct criminal investigations. While the state’s highway patrol mainly polices highways, state police organizations perform a broad array of functions, including traffic control. They enforce criminal laws, investigate crimes, and assist Shannon Robertson CJ-112 7-1 Journal: Careers and High Expecations 10/15/2021 local officers at their request. They are, just as all other law enforcement, to be held to a high standard and adhere to a strict code of ethics that aligns with the Constitution. State police officers should embody integrity, professionalism, morality, devotion to community, and strong physical and mental fitness. Prosecutor: The role of a prosecutor in the U.S. court system is to act as the “gatekeeper”, or single most powerful person of the criminal justice system. They practice extreme discretion in their profession. They hold authority at their own discretion, to make many decisions that affect both defendants as well as the general criminal justice system. Such decisions are as follows: the type of charge(s), decision to charge, decision to grant/deny bail, decision to uphold plea agreements and on what terms, and recommendations for sentencing. They represent the people, specifically victims, and many times are out investigating crimes such as heinous crime scenes at the request of police officers. They are physically out gathering useful information. With this information, they fulfill their primary goal assigned by the U.S. Supreme Court not to win, but to bring justice. They ask themselves if they have sufficient evidence to charge a defendant using a variety of factors. A good prosecutor will speak with the victim to establish a relationship with them and make sure they feel heard and respected prior to trial. They evaluate arrest reports and documents pertaining to the suspect and decide if there is enough evidence to charge them. They are also able to hold officers accountable for misconduct such as failure to obtain probable cause and can contact all parties involved in a crime including victim and witnesses. Coupled with discretion and power, prosecutors have civil immunity from being sued for civil damages pertaining to their handling of a case. This is unique in the criminal justice system and professional world in general alike. Shannon Robertson CJ-112 7-1 Journal: Careers and High Expecations 10/15/2021 Prison Warden: The prison warden is responsible for all functions and operations of one prison facility within a large network of facilities. They are charged with ensuring policies, general orders, and policies are aligned to their facility, with respect to those of the department. Other responsibilities include human resources, security and safety, budget, and maintenance. They must maintain control during critical events, and ensure the environment is positive regarding working and living conditions. An effective prison warden should be well versed in knowledge of prison functions, laws, policies, and procedures. They should be able to see where the prison fits in the big picture of the respective larger prison system it is part of, understand the budget, and possess political awareness and qualities such as personability, approachability, honesty, loyalty, dedication, and reliability. Beyond that, they should also be a strong communicator, intelligent, hardworking, and decisive yet thoughtful. Prison wardens must uphold the agency’s highest traditions and act ethically and embody confidence that does not waiver in times of unrest. They serve as the ultimate resource for safety. They should be present during shift changes of prison staff and interact with them, especially at the start of the day to address issues that need to be resolved. After this, they should walk the premises to observe and receive feedback, meet with families and agency representatives, review policies and inmate appeals, communicate, interview staff when applicable, complete paperwork, handle the budget, prepare for testimony in court, and handle personal issues. Weekly inspections are conducted by them as well. The prison warden is considered a high-level manager as a “boots on the ground” administrator. Shannon Robertson CJ-112 7-1 Journal: Careers and High Expecations 10/15/2021 Explain how the three careers work together: Law enforcement such as the state police make arrests of defendants that eventually go to court to deal with the prosecutor. The prosecutor makes decisions such as a prison sentence for a defendant. That defendant will serve a term in a prison that is overseen by a prison warden. All these professions work together to enforce the law, bring justice, and ensure safety and security of the U.S. criminal justice system. 4. Choose one current trend in criminal justice and explain how it impacts one of the careers you have identified. Currently, scholars and observers maintain the opinion that prosecutorial immunity is unfair and is taken too far. Others who are supportive of this immunity should not have to live in fear that civil suits will be brought on them while they seek to do justice and serve the people. The U.S. Supreme Court has claimed it is a “balance of evils”. This is an ongoing debate that explains the issues that arise when delegating such an enormous amount of power to a single criminal justice professional. References: Peak K. J., & Madensen T. D. (2018). Interactive: Introduction to Criminal Justice Interactive eBook. [VitalSource Bookshelf]. Retrieved from https://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781544319612/
