NCJ Number
171286
Date Published
1998
Length
7 pages
Annotation
A panel discussion on the changing nature of the responses of the criminal justice system to crime focused on the analysis of the Crime Commission of 30 years ago and issues related to police and prosecutors, drug courts, drug offenders, individual and civil rights, social justice, and justice for youth.
Abstract
Panelists noted that a major goal of the Crime Commission was to narrow the gap between data and public policy and that two of its more enduring contributions were its concerns that justice be done and its conceptualization of a criminal justice system. However, the use of a model of a closed system and barriers to cooperation have resulted in less progress than would be desirable in accomplishing the Commission's goals. Many participants agreed that two of the Commission's greatest legacies were its presentation of criminal justice as a system and its emphasis on professionalism among police, prosecutors, and others who work in the system. Participants raised issues related to social justice; several commented that the criminal justice system must take over in too many situations due to the inadequacy of social systems in solving social problems. Panelists also commented on the need to examine what is being done for children from birth to age 3, to consider the advantages and disadvantages of juvenile courts, and to consider whether or not a juvenile has a right to a jury trial.