The Criminal Justice System - 1860 Words

In the text, Karmen (2015) discusses the many ways that the criminal justice system does not always act to support crime victims. The following news stories help to illustrate how, at every phase of the criminal justice process, victims may be further victimized. Part One: Law Making Process As an example of the legal process causing further victimization, I selected the New York case of a young boy who is being forced to testify in court against the man who sexually assaulted him (Beam, 2015). The boy, who was only 11 years old when the assault occurred, now must face his accuser in court and testify about the humiliating sexual abuse he incurred. This appears to be a case where the victim has not only suffered through the crime itself, but also â€Å"has ‘gone through hell’ ever since coming forward with the allegations† (Beam, 2015); being faced to testify in open court will only compound the trauma the boy has suffered. This is a clear example of the law-making process forcing a victim to relive a traumatic incident for the benefit of the accused perpetrator. The text discusses that some laws designed to protect criminal defendants, like the right to confront an accuser, cause the victims to be forced into unenviable situations (Karmen, 2015). Here, in this case, the victim will be made to be face-to-face with the man who sexually violated him and will be forced to relive that assault through testimony. Part Two: Police Enforcement and Investigation PoliceShow MoreRelatedJustice Systems And The Criminal Justice System Essay1248 Words   |  5 PagesThe criminal justice system is a complex and often uncoordinated system that operates by enforcing the law and seeking justice across countless jurisdictions. It is comprised of many separate agencies including agencies at the federal, state, and local level. Each agency has its own function and goals while operating at different levels of government. 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