Overview of the 3 Main Components of the Criminal Justice System
In the United States, law enforcement, the courts and corrections make up the 3 main components of the criminal justice system. Each agency works both independently and collaboratively to maintain a sense of law and order, justice and peace within communities, and for the people who have to participate within the criminal justice system.
Law Enforcement
As one of the 3 main components of the criminal justice system, law enforcement represents the first interaction people will have with the criminal justice system. Law enforcement is designed to uphold order in society, protect citizens and uphold laws at a local, state and federal level. At every level, law enforcement is responsible for preventing, investigating and responding to criminal activity, and assisting people who may have been victims of a crime.
Local Law Enforcement
At a local level, law enforcement may include city police departments or a sheriff’s office. These officials are responsible for upholding the laws and aiding citizens located within a specific geographic boundary, municipality or county.
State Law Enforcement
Unlike local law enforcement, state agencies’ jurisdiction covers the entire state, including unincorporated areas. Often these law enforcement agents conduct state highway patrols, or protect state buildings like the capitol and courthouses. Often, state law enforcement works with local law enforcement to assist in emergencies and investigations.
Federal Law Enforcement
At the federal level, law enforcement agencies have jurisdiction across the nation. These agencies include the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). When federal agents are called in, that means a crime has implications across multiple states or are a threat at the national level.
Types of jobs in law enforcement
Law enforcement provides a wealth of opportunity to build a career in one of the most dynamic of the 3 main components of the criminal justice system. There’s an opportunity to serve at the local level as a police officer or detective; work for the state as a crime lab analyst or game warden; or serve the country as a homeland security agent or a special agent.
Court System
The courts make up the judicial system, another of the 3 main components of the criminal justice system. The courts are designed to ensure that people who are accused of a crime receive a fair and speedy trial, and are proven guilty or innocent in a court of law. The judicial process involves many different people and professions, and can be found in various settings across the country.
State Courts
The state judiciary presides over the citizens of a particular state. These include criminal, civil, family and probate courts, all abiding by the state’s legal framework. State courts have the legal authority to rule on matters that are not explicitly reserved for the federal government, as written in the U.S. Constitution.
Federal Courts
Federal courts preside over cases related to constitutional issues, federal crimes, immigration issues, bankruptcy or if a case involves citizens from two or more different states. Federal law is written and rooted in the U.S. Constitution, and so federal courts are responsible for interpreting the law and ruling on cases using the Constitution as a guide.
Tribal Law
On tribal lands throughout the United States, communities can take disputes to tribal courts instead of state or federal courts. These courts are comprised of members of the tribal community, who issue rulings on cases like land disputes, family matters and violations of tribal laws.
Types of jobs in the court system
Whether state, federal or tribal, the court system offers a wide range of career paths. At the highest level, the court system employs judges and magistrates who issue rulings. However, there are also plenty of careers in administrative and support roles that are just as critical — like legal researchers, clerks, bailiffs, probation officers, court reporters, case managers and many more.
Corrections
Rounding out the 3 main components of the criminal justice system is the department of corrections. This branch focuses on ensuring public safety by housing and rehabilitating people convicted of crimes. Corrections includes facilities like jails and prisons; support services for incarcerated individuals, like substance abuse counseling and access to education; and liaisons for people who are released from jail, like probation and parole officers.
What is the purpose of the US correctional systems?
Primarily, the correctional system in America is designed to carry out sentences laid out in state or federal court. By confining and rehabilitating criminals, the correctional system aims to keep the public safe and prevent convicted criminals from returning back to incarceration. There are different types of correctional facilities, where individuals are housed depending on their sentence and crime.
Institutional Correctional Facilities
These include jails, prisons and penitentiaries, which have different levels of security depending on who is incarcerated there. Some facilities are minimum-security, while others are maximum security and in the most severe cases, super-maximum security. These facilities are critical in carrying out the will of the courts and keeping people safe from criminals.
Community Correctional Facilities
Sometimes known as “halfway houses,” community correctional facilities are designed to help incarcerated people transition back into everyday society. Often, these residential facilities provide support services and programs that help people navigate the world outside of prison and reduce the chances of re-offending. Sometimes, community correctional facilities can serve as an alternative to jail for non-violent offenders or people who are close to finishing their sentences.
Types of jobs in correctional facilities
Of the 3 main components of the criminal justice system, the corrections system has a high demand for candidates to fill a wide range of roles. Corrections officers are responsible for the oversight and safety of inmates; counselors work directly with incarcerated people to help them overcome mental health and addiction issues; educators can help inmates complete or restart their educational journey; and probation and parole officers are vital in helping former inmates thrive outside of prison life.
Summary of the 3 Main Components of the Criminal Justice System
Whether working to stop crimes, uphold laws or guard incarcerated people, a career in criminal justice provides stability and a chance to serve the community. Many departments — particularly in the law enforcement branch of criminal justice — have a critical need to hire, as roles are vacated by retiring officers or those moving to other positions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over the next decade overall employment of police officers and detectives is expected to grow by 3 percent. To attract more recruits, departments across the country are extending signing bonuses and other incentives to qualified candidates.
The 3 main components of the criminal justice system are all fascinating and rewarding in their own way. Pursuing a criminal justice degree from Tiffin University helps build vital critical-thinking, interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills that are necessary to each of the branches of criminal justice. A degree can be a stepping stone for career advancement, and makes students competitive candidates for entry-level positions in law enforcement, the court system or corrections.