Crim B1
Introduction to
Criminal Justice
Bakersfield College
Charles L. Feer, JD, MPA
What is Criminal Justice
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Individual Rights vs. Public Order
Criminal Justice
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Individual Rights
The right of
individuals to be
protected from
overzealous and
intrusive government
actions.
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Public Order
The right of citizens
to feel secure from
criminal threats.
Criminal Justice

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Can the Criminal Justice System be fair
To the individual while ensuring public
safety?
“System” involves victims, defendants,
police officers, prosecutors, judges,
correctional officers, politicians, all striving
for a “balance.”
Criminal Justice System
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Subcomponents:
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Police (Cops)
Courts
Corrections
Criminal Justice System
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Consensus Model
A stable system with
a high level of
cooperation among
agencies in the
system.

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Conflict Model
Self-serving,
fragmented
cooperation.
Affected by outside
influences such as
political pressures,
media coverage and
use of discretion.
Crime


Conduct (act of failure to act, when
required to do so) that is a violation of the
criminal laws of a state, the federal
government or local jurisdiction, for which
there is no legally acceptable justification
or excuse,
With a determined punishment.
Chronological Stages of a
Criminal Case
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Investigation and Arrest (Warrant)
Booking (Citation)
Bail (O.R.)
Preliminary Hearing / Grand Jury
Trial
Sentencing (Probation Dept.)
Corrections
Justice Defined

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Justice is…
The principal of fairness;
The ideal of moral equity.
Criminal Justice vs. Social Justice

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Criminal Justice – violations of the criminal
law.
Civil Justice – fairness in relationships
among citizens, government agencies,
businesses in private matters.
Social Justice – embraces all aspects of
civilized life and is linked to fundamental
notions of fairness and to cultural beliefs
about right and wrong.
Profiling

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Transporting Drugs vs.
“Driving while Brown”
Profiling

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Airport Screening Process
Personal Characteristics to utilize in
screening potential dangerous passengers
in an airport terminal.
Next Week
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Chapter One