What type of justice system do YOU want?

Two common terms you will hear while studying criminal justice are Crime Control and Due Process. These terms represent two competing ideologies within the criminal justice system, one with a heavy focus on controlling crime as quickly and efficiently as possible and the other with a heavy focus on the protecting the rights of accused in a formal reliable process. Justice system practices associated with each ideology are often in conflict with each other.

To begin, I want to know your thoughts about how we can best achieve justice. Should our justice system place a heavier emphasis on controlling crime or protecting the rights of the accused? Should the system focus on efficiency (being able to address cases quickly) or reliability (ensuring that we do not make mistakes) ?

1. Take a moment and review the justice system characteristics below.
2. Choose 3system characteristics that you think are most important to achieve justice in society. I know it can be difficult to choose only 3 but think about what you value the most.
3. Once you have selected your three, write a paragraph on this discussion board explaining why you feel these 3 characteristics are most important.

When describing your most valued characteristics, you can choose from this list, or feel free to describe other characteristics not listed here:

Consistent Efficient Slow Restorative Organized Cost-effective

Protect accused rights Victim-centered Transparent Strict Evidence-based Reliable

Community-oriented Control crime Fair Honest Zero-tolerance