Criminal Justice

How do courts act as crime preventers?
What theory of crime is consistent with the courts being crime preventers?
Do you believe the courts are affective as crime preventers? (these questions represent your three paragraphs in the body of your discussion. You will still need and introduction and a conclusion) You want to use your readings and what you saw in the court programs you looked at as evidence for answering these questions.
Make sure you look at the readings and review at least three programs from the Court Programs link before you attempt to answer the questions.

What role do prosecutors play in issues of racial equity? What are the 7 decision points that can impact people of color? What can be done to affect the role of the prosecutor?

ANSWER

Court as Crime Preventers

Courts are the heart of the criminal justice system. Courts have played a big role in delivering justice to victims and protecting the communities and rights of the citizens. They have been one of the most recognized representations of justice in society. Courts have been designed to stop crime by treating underlying criminal conducts and patterns of crime as offenses and punishable by the rule of law.

Courts act as crime preventers through sanctioning misbehavior and encouraging pro-social attitudes. The court functions as a justice institution that is vital for preventing and fighting crime (DeMatteo, Heilbrun, Thornewill, and Arnold, 2019). Courts deal with criminal matters and different offenses such as assault, stealing, and possession of drugs. The court enforces laws that regulate offenses and misconduct. Therefore, the court keeps the citizens safe by convicting criminals. The courts and prosecutors are responsible for prosecuting the criminals, confiscation assets and properties obtained through crimes, and administering adequate punishments that prevent and combat organized crimes. For instance, the court imposes high costs of crime which deter individuals from committing crimes.

Deterrence theory of crime states that the threat of punishment will prevent people from committing the crime as well as lower the probability of offense in society (Sullivan and Lugo, 2018). The courts have imposed high costs crimes such as punishment and imprisonment which have prevented people from committing crimes. Considerably, the severity of punishment has a high impact on prevention and deterrence. For instance, the judges and magistrates can find a defendant guilty and pass a sentence depending on the seriousness of the crime. Sentencing has been more than punishment for the crime but ways through which the court encourages individuals not to be involved in committing a crime.

Courts are effective as crime preventers since they encourage individuals not to engage in crimes (Mallicoat, 2018). Punishment by the court has played a big role in stopping a potential offender from being involved in a crime before it occurs and stops offenders from repeating a crime. Therefore, the court is effective in preventing future crimes through punishments and incapacitation which deprive an individual’s capacity to commit a crime since they are detained or modify their behaviors.

In summation, the courts hold an integral position in the criminal justice system. If the courts failed to enforce laws and regulate behaviors it would be challenging to prevent crimes. Punishment and severe sentences imposed by the courts prevent offenders and potential offenders from committing crimes.

References

DeMatteo, D., Heilbrun, K., Thornewill, A., & Arnold, S. (2019). Problem-solving courts and the criminal justice system. Oxford University Press.

Mallicoat, S. L. (2018). Crime and criminal justice: Concepts and controversies. Sage Publications.

Sullivan, C. J., & Lugo, M. (2018). Criminological Theory and Deterrence. In Deterrence, Choice, and Crime, Volume 23 (pp. 107-136). Routledge.