Discussion Board (1) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Discussion Board (1) - Essay Example As a network, what one entity does in regards to criminal justice will affect all. Considering these definitions, the American criminal justice system is best defined as a process because: 1) there are distinctions among entities in criminal justice infrastructure, 2) actions of one agency are not interdependent upon another and 3) cooperation among agencies eliminates identification as a non-system. The American criminal justice system works through a variety of avenues. How things are implemented specifically â€Å"varies from state to state, and the federal criminal justice system has its own rules, procedures, and terms to describe the stages of the proceedings† (Bennett, n.d.). Generally, however, things tend to follow a similar pattern. First, an individual reports a crime. This individual can be â€Å"families, neighborhood associations, business, industry, agriculture, educational institutions, the news media, or any other private sector entity† (â€Å"Criminal Justice†, n.d.). From here the law enforcement agency, (usually at a local level at this point), goes through its own procedures for determining if a suspect is guilty and needs to be arrested. If the suspect is arrested, â€Å"then law enforcement agencies present the complaint and information and about the accused to the prosecutor, who will decide if formal charges will be filed with the c ourt (pre-indictment events)† (â€Å"Criminal Justice†, n.d.). If charges aren’t dropped, the accused will undergo a bail hearing, which will determine if a suspect will be allowed to attain their freedom while on bond. Then there is the arraignment which â€Å"is the formal presentation of charges in open court and where a judge considers evidence the prosecutor presents to decide whether there is probable cause to support the charges against the defendant† (â€Å"Criminal Justice†, n.d.). Plea