Criminal Justice and Its Subfields

Criminal justice is the means through which justice can be dispensed by the government and social institutions in order to keep crime and criminal minds under control. Criminal justice as a profession is highly essential in order to keep justice intact in the homeland and ensure peace and harmony. There are various challenges which are faced by the government and various welfare agencies to ensure peace.

The various other subjects which are linked to criminal justice are sociology, psychology, science and communication.

Sociology is a subject which deals with studying people and their behavior.
Psychology is about the way a person thinks, which keeps changing according to his family, society, workplace and community.
Science is the practical and reasoning field which looks at things people and situations critically.
Communication is the means through which a person expresses his feelings, emotions, needs and desires. The importance of communication is increasing with the highly changing nature of the society with the advent of technology.

Fields

3 fields in which a person can continue a future career in criminal justice are:

Law enforcement

Forensic science

Homeland security

Future Job prospects

The various job prospects in criminal justice are:

Correctional officer

A correctional officer is the one who looks after the inmates in prison who are awaiting trial or are serving a term. It is a dangerous profession as the correctional officer could face injuries from inmates and the growth rate in this profession is seen at being 5% from 2010.

Courtroom reporter

A reporter who reports on court room proceedings has a lot of say in influencing the media and it is highly essential that he takes vital information along with him to be reported.

Crime scene examiner

The person who investigates, collects evidences, from the scene of crime is the crime scene investigator and he plays a major role in solving a case. A criminal mind and his next move is well understood by a crime scene examiner. His observations help in solving a case.

Detective

A detective is a private investigator or a member of the police service who investigates on matters of national importance, historical crimes and those crimes which are not solved easily. A detective helps in law enforcement in a country.

Lawyer

A lawyer is the person who practices law as a solicitor, advocate, counselor, attorney, barrister and helps in dispensing justice. He is the person who solicits for his clients. They are there to ensure that no person is indulging in immoral or unethical activities. A person who is afflicted regarding something unjust done to him approach lawyers to seek for legal help.

Paralegal

A paralegal assistant is the one which assists lawyers in their profession. Paralegal and legal assistants help lawyers in maintaining files, conducting research, organizing documents and so on.

Other careers related to criminal justice are working as a police officer, private investigator, probation officer to name a few.

Criminal justice is becoming highly essential in this fast paced life modern life where the number of crime rates is increasing and the need to dispense justice is increasing. The various careers which are related to criminal justice give an understanding of how these systems ensure peace, solitude and harmony to people.

13 Federal Cuts to Justice Programs

Failure to agree on a deficit reduction plan in Washington by the end of the year may result in more cuts to criminal justice programs, according to a report released from the National Criminal Justice Association and the Vera Institute of Justice.

The cuts are a part of a process known as "sequestration," part of the Budget Control Act passed by Congress in August 2011, which will mandate across-the-board cuts if Congress doesn't resolve budget issues by the end of the year.

If a plan is not reached, all domestic federal discretionary spending, including for criminal justice programs, will face 8.2 percent cuts starting Jan. 2, 2012, and yearly reductions until the fiscal year 2021.

The report, based on national survey results of 714 responses from government and private organizations, found that U.S. Department of Justice funding to criminal justice agencies and nonprofit service providers has dropped by 43 per cent in the last two years.

Over three-quarters of the agencies and providers reported that their federal aid funding has steadily declined, while about 14 per cent said that the amounts of their grants had been cut by more than half.

Officials say that additional cuts to public safety grants could cripple efforts at the state and local level. More than half of the organizations that responded said that on average they had lost equivalent to 3.4 full-time employees.

Cuts to federal criminal justice grants will mean that substance abuse programs, victims' advocates, drug task forces and other law enforcement programs could cease to exist now or in the near future. Major programs involved include Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), Byrne Justice Assistance Grants, Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners, federal juvenile delinquency prevention initiatives, and the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

"The drug and meth problem are at epidemic levels and resources to combat the scourge are diminishing, which makes it difficult to fight and morale is very low," wrote a Kentucky law enforcement representative. "Officers are overworked... it's hard to estimate the devastation these cuts will make to an already horrible condition."

Federal funding for state and local anti-crime efforts is "at a historically low level," according to the Criminal Justice Association and Vera Institute.

"We have already reduced our work force by a third due to cutbacks in funding. To put it simply, further funding cuts of seven to nine percent yearly (as sequestration requires) will eventually put us out of business... There will be no one in our district to step up and do the job we have been doing," wrote a Tennessee drug and violent crimes task force.

Of the effects already felt by the decrease in funding, the following were reported:

•Tucson's police department was forced to eliminated 194 sworn and 40.5 civilian positions, including dispatchers and crime scene investigators, because of lack of funding.
•Sarasota County, Florida, had to eliminate three jobs at a center for mental health and case management for troubled youth. If the center were to close down, police who now wait just 15 minutes to drop off detained youth at the center would have to hold the detained themselves for up to six hours.
•A Pennsylvania agency said the government budget cuts for various services push these services by default onto local police. Funding for a drug task force, for example, was reduced, shutting down investigations for two months. This, they reported, permitted open drug sales, retail thefts, burglary and other thefts to increase and placed stress on police resources.
•In Carroll County, Ohio, the Sheriff's Office reported that cuts since 2010 to justice assistance grants caused road patrol to be cut from two officers to one, and incident reports have increased in Carroll County by 32.3 percent. "Loss of personnel will cause lengthier response times and diminish overall security for county residents," they forewarn.

"Victims and citizens do not want to hear that their safety is being jeopardized due to lack of funds and resources," responded the Wilton Manors Police Department, in Florida.

"[P]rograms have already been cut 43 percent and those cuts have already had an effect on public safety," commented Elizabeth Pyke, director of government affairs at the National Criminal Justice Association. The additional cuts mandated by sequestration, according to the report, "could leave the federal-state-local public safety partnership virtually unfunded by 2021."

Sequestration will be addressed when members of Congress reconvene in Washington, D.C. following the November elections.

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The Humanity of Justice

"The Humanity of Justice" is possibly the best book I've ever read on the modern American justice system. Relying on his own experiences as a Senior Deputy District Attorney in southern California, Burke E. Strunsky frames it this way: in a democracy, the justice system should not just be the objective interpretation of laws by professionals and systematic doling out of punishments based on precedents. The justice system is also an ongoing pursuit of what justice means. After reading Chapter 4, "The Jury: The Heart of American Justice," I had a renewed appreciation for the jury system as a quintessential component of a democracy. The jury is the "we" in "we the people." That is, the people have the responsibility and honor of deciding what justice is. Therefore, justice is a reflection of the moral will of the people. This book is about the people: the humanistic qualities and components of our justice system, but it is also a convincing argument that human emotions are a necessary supplement to logic and reason in deciding the psychological and sociological implications of crime, punishment and cultural analysis.

Strunsky doesn't mystify the reader with romanticizations of courtroom drama and complexities of the law one might find in a Hollywood crime drama or a law class respectively. It is a demystification, but an enlightening one. While this seems like an overzealous or glorifying review, the book deserves this encomium because it integrates justice and the role of humanity itself within the ongoing project of American society as the pursuit of justice. When you finish reading it, to be sure, you will come away with a better understanding of the American justice system and you will be implored to look at real and fictional criminal cases with more critical eyes. You might consider, or reconsider, the very idea of justice, not just as some drifting abstract signifier, extracted from case law and dispassionately applied to subsequent crimes, but rather what it really is in a democratic justice system: something "we the people" reconstruct with each particular case. Strunsky provides ethical and practical comments in discussing some of his past cases (often brutal and horrific crimes he has prosecuted). This commentary never seems partisan and is always an elucidation. In other words, he does not dazzle you with incomprehensible court jargon; he explains it. For example, rather than using tactics to "trick" the jury into seeing a case his way, he explains (often misunderstood) jargon such as "abiding conviction" and "reasonable doubt" so the jury knows exactly what the court is talking about. He wants the jury (and all citizens) to recognize their individual roles in a social dynamic, to think like humans (thus, the title).

Among these broad contexts of justice and humanity, are the cases themselves. Some issues in the examples discussed are: flaws in capital punishments, the hypocrisy of clergy-penitent privilege, and the effective use of narrative in arguing the case. Strunsky presents the argument that we can improve upon these and other issues with a common sense (humanistic) approach to the pursuit of justice. Strunsky also devotes considerable time to crime prevention: socially in terms of gun control (a common sense look at this controversial topic) but also the economic, individual, and psychological precursors of crime: from prenatal care to adulthood. Strunsky brings what I think is a necessarily subjective, human spirit to supplement what is often thought of as an objective, law-written-in-stone institution.

Job Growth in Criminal Justice Field

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that careers in the criminal justice field will grow rapidly between now and 2016. In the next few years paralegal, investigator, private detective and police officer jobs are predicted to grow between 11-22 percent.

Although a bachelor's or master's degree is not always required, a criminal justice degree is often preferred by law enforcement departments. It gives you a strong basis of knowledge when later working for a Police Department, Sheriff's Office, State Patrol or the Federal Government.

Many departments give a substantial percentage of salary increase per educational level completed, and promotions are often quicker and better for officers with a higher education degree. In addition, there's a growing trend amongst law enforcement agencies to offer tuition reimbursement.

"I believe that the degree will be well worth it when I look back on my career," said a deputy sheriff when I asked him about his master's degree in Criminal Justice from Boston University's online program.

"A master's degree in Criminal Justice can help those who are looking for work by giving them an advantage in the initial hiring process. Employers know that a candidate with a master's degree has intelligence, is dedicated, and is a person who is willing to work hard," he says. "Experience is also extremely important, but education can help individuals earn life experience and broaden their understanding of the criminal justice field."

The federal government is offering the deputy and all those working in a federal or county capacity the federal loan forgiveness program, which will pay for the remaining of his school debt after ten years of service.

Criminal justice is a field of innumerable possibilities, and not just in law enforcement. Political science, corrections management and criminal law are some of the specialized areas of study, as well as security, corrections, emergency response, crisis management, information technology, the court system, social work and case management.

Opportunities for graduates include with federal agencies like the FBI, CIA, ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms), the Secret Service, Customs, DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency), INS, and the Border Patrol. Local options include careers as a state trooper, SBI agent, detective, investigator, security specialist, and in the corrections department as a corrections, parole or probation officer.

 Criminal justice can also lead to professions in law such as a lawyer, legal assistant, paralegal, court administrator, judge or magistrate, and in military and defense agencies leading to a career as a military police officer or investigator, criminologist, crime scene investigator, or forensic scientist. Other opportunities include: in gaming surveillance as a conservation officer, in colleges and universities as lectures and professors, and in the field of cyber crime and white-collar crime detection and prevention. When you decide what specialization you might be interested in, you will want to conduct more specific research. No matter what career you decide to pursue, a degree in criminal justice will be a strong foundation to have.

You may also consider whether an associate's, bachelor's or master's degree is right for you:

• An associate's degree in criminal justice will give you a general overview of the criminal justice system, including policing and corrections, the court system and juvenile justice. For many departments an associate's degree is the minimum requirement for becoming a police officer or sheriff's deputy.

• A bachelor's degree can introduce you to a specialized field within criminal justice. An added concentration can prepare you for careers in corrections, forensics, juvenile justice or crime scene investigation. A criminal justice bachelor's degree with a technology focus, for example, could help you get a job working in the realm of computer crime and cyber security.

A master's degree can advance your career from the start or advance you professionally if you're already working in the field. Courses focus on more specialized areas, such as criminology, juvenile law and criminal court systems.

"Higher education helps those going into the work force sharpen their writing skills, gain knowledge of the law, and learn about arresting procedures," the deputy with his master's from BU told me. Among the specialized areas he studied were criminology, white collar crime, terrorism and victimology. "There are, however, many other practical applications that one can only learn while on the job," he has realized, and he named handcuffing, firearm tactics and processing evidence as a few examples.

"Getting a criminal justice degree is as academically challenging as an engineering or mathematics program," says Don Schneidmiller, a Deputy Chief with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. He recommends choosing a challenging program with instructors who have experience in the field, and to make sure the curriculum is broad so that you learn all aspects of the criminal justice system.

Most importantly, Schneidmiller believes, if you are interested in a criminal justice degree: "It is critical that students know they'll be held to an extremely high moral and ethical standard," Schneidmiller advises. "They need to start holding themselves to that standard now."

Public Service Degrees is your advocate in the search for quality distance learning programs. Our mission is to provide high quality, undergraduate and graduate level degree programs designed to help officials respond to today's current challenges.

The Law Society

The Law Society is a union for solicitors, and might also be described as a trade organisation for solicitors. They also have rights over the training, and qualification of undergraduate, and graduate lawyers. The main philosophy behind the conception of the Law Society was to offer, paid or unpaid, services and provide social justice for their clients.

Around mid 1500s there were two categories of legal profession, the first one was barristers and the second one was attorneys and solicitors. Solicitors usually dealt with landed estates, and attorneys helped their clients during lawsuits. With time, the two sorts combined, and a common name solicitors was embraced. Although there were many excellent solicitors, there were also some pettifoggers and vipers, who were insulting their very own profession by wrong practices.

In 1923 well known attorneys called a meeting, and they agreed that they should have form the London Law Institution where the service was properly offered, and standards were set. The term London was used to show that the society will enhance the whole nation's services, and show their aspirations.

The society was formed on 2 june 1825. The society came to be known as the Law Society, although the formal title was The Society of Attorneys, Solicitors, Proctors, and others not being Barristers, who practiced in the court of Law and Equity of the United Kingdom. Then in 1903, the society changed its official name to The Law Society.

The society first proceeded to work against fraudulent practitioners. They got the right to investigate the accounts of a practitioner, and to award them with annual practicing certificates. The society also has an office, Consumer Complaint Service, that deals with complaints regarding solicitors.

Numerous lectures have been delivered in the Law Society with a focus towards improving their standards. Proper legal education was essential to improve the status of the profession. The Solicitors act of 1860 gave the society rights to set up an examination system. The society also went on to create their very own school of Law, which later became the College of Law. Later on, it became necessary for clerks to have one academic year.

The society had a strong agenda from the beginning, which enabled it to have powerful connections with the Government. The fact that they independently waged war against deceitful practitioners, was enough to bring them out into the open, and have a special relationship with the Government on the Law reform, and the formulation of legal policy. Today the society monitors, and maintains validating control over undergraduates and post graduates, training contracts, and ensure continuing professional development.

The Most Important Use Of The Law

Hailed as “the secret” behind many monumentally successful people in history, the law of attraction has indeed attracted quite a number of followers in recent years. The gist of the law is this simple: whatever you think about will be attracted into your life and will ultimately become reality. It is known as the secret to creating the kind of life you’ve always wanted, using nothing but the power of your mind.

The subject is explored in length in the self help book and documentary movie, both of which are entitled “The Secret.” The book and movie are the perfect companions for anyone who need help in achieving goals, dreams, and desires, both big and small. 

However, not everyone who tries using the law of attraction find what they’re looking for. Despite the simplicity of the concept, there are some things that may hinder this secret from working its magic in our lives. Thus, here are some key principles you should know about applying the law of attraction in your life.

1. Not all things we desire are possible for us at any given time. Some things take time, so not all things may instantly come to reality in our lives when we start attracting them with the power of our minds. Sometimes, they take a long time to come, but the question of whether they will or will not eventually come depends on how you continuously attract them with your thoughts.
2. Your conscious and subconscious desires should be in harmony. Sometimes, your conscious and subconscious desires contradict each other. Unless they are in harmony, you cannot expect the law of attraction to work for you. The mind will not know which of the two opposite desires it needs to work on.
3. The Law of Attraction is based on the belief that there is a superior force at work in the universe. If you are an atheist or a skeptic, the law of attraction may not work for you. Before you can believe and apply the law of attraction, it is crucial that you also believe in a Higher Being or Force that is in charge of the universe, whatever you choose to call it.
4. You have to clean up your mind first. If you want the law of attraction to bring positive things into your life, you have to think positive thoughts too. The problem is, a lot of people who learn about the law do so at a point in life when they have already accumulated too many negative thoughts and emotions. Thus, when they start applying the law, their mind attracts negative things as a result of their negative thoughts and emotions. So be careful; remember to clean up your mind first before you start working on the law of attraction. One good way to clean up the mind is through meditation.
5. The law works for both material and spiritual desires. Most people only focus on their material desires when they use the law of attraction in their lives. But don’t forget that the law of attraction should also be used to attain a higher level of spiritual achievement in life. Since material things do not provide total fulfillment, you will never feel truly happy and content unless you also work on your spiritual achievements using the law of attraction. 

What Constitutes Family Law

Family Law. It's a term you may have heard thrown around in the past, one associated primarily with divorce in the minds of the masses. The term encompasses a number of issues surrounding marriage and divorce, however, all of which have legal ramifications that have the potential to adversely affect your future. These issues, which range from child custody and child support to spousal maintenance, annulment and more, shine a light on the importance of having an experienced divorce lawyer as your advocate. The Arizona law firm of McGuire Gardner, P.L.L.C. can make certain your rights are protected, and work toward the fair and equitable outcome you desire in your family law case. 

An experienced and qualified family law attorney can and will educate you as to applicable law in cases involving:

* Divorce
* Legal separation
* Annulment
* Child support
* Child custody
* Alimony
* Spousal maintenance

* Adoption
* Parental rights
* Adoption
* Paternity cases
* Pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements

Should you be confronted with any of these issues, the first thing you should know is that the laws governing these issues are complex. You can't be expected to know the law on your own, but you can depend on someone who does. Most family law firms will offer you a free initial consultation, which can be an invaluable resource in terms of gaining valuable information. A sit-down with an experienced attorney can bring a sense of order to what may seem like a chaotic situation. In the process you'll gain valuable insight and begin the process of protecting your rights.

In Arizona, McGuire and Gardner, P.L.L.C. will schedule your free initial consultation immediately after you contact them by phone or by email, provide maps or driving directions to an office in your community, and assist you in scheduling a time to meet with an attorney at your convenience.

A divorce, particularly one that includes custody and financial issues, can make for one of life's most stressful occurrences. The issues involved in family law cases carry with them a great deal of emotion for all parties involved. In such times, the worst possible option is going it alone. Put your case in the hands of an experienced family law attorney, and put yourself on a path toward the outcome you desire.