Case Study: The Criminal Justice System Continuum (From National Victim Assistance Academy, P 2.3.1 - 2.3.11, 2000, Anne Seymour, Morna Murray, eds. et al., -- See NCJ 184052)

• NCJ Number: 184055
• Author(s): Anne Seymour; Sterling O'Ran
• Date Published: 2000
• Length: 11 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services; OVC Resource Ctr
• Publication Series: OVC Others
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter presents a hypothetical crime scenario that provides a walk-through of the “victim justice system.”

Abstract

The American system of justice, in its zeal to safeguard the rights of the accused and to ensure the humane treatment of those convicted of crimes, has evolved in a manner that typically does not extend equal rights or protections to the victims of crime. This article describes existing victims’ rights and circumstances under which additional rights can and should be implemented. The article examines: (1) the contrast between the treatment of offenders and the treatment of victims by the justice system; (2) how a case proceeds through the continuum of the Federal, criminal, and juvenile justice systems from arrest through incarceration/detention or community supervision; (3) the roles and responsibilities of key players in the justice process -- law enforcement, prosecution, judiciary, probation, corrections, parole and victim services; and (4) the critical differences among the Federal, criminal, and juvenile justice systems at each stage of the justice continuum, and the challenges to providing victims’ rights and services when a case crosses jurisdictional boundaries. References