Criminal Justice is a scientific discipline and those who teach, research, study, administer or practice in this discipline subscribe to the general tenets of science and scholarship. They also recognize that the discovery, creation, transmission and accumulation of knowledge in any scientific discipline involves legal ethical considerations at every level.
Legal and Ethical Standards are enforceable rules for the behavior of individual members within the criminal justice field to be applied in specific situations. Most of the ethical standards are written broadly, to provide applications in varied roles and varied contexts.
Q1. These values include fairness, impartiality, integrity, and respect for the rights of others. Based on the given scenario what challenges do you see at the four component levels (legislation, law enforcement, courts and corrections) of criminal justice?
Scenario – Profiling
Assumptions and stereotypes are ubiquitous in modern-day society. These assumptions cause unfair racial or ethical profiling in everyday life. Although profiling has been a significant facet of our criminal justice system for a long time, criminal justice practitioners use their discretion and judgment to decide the best and most appropriate course of action based on individual cases. These individuals should not make decisions based on biases; however, decisions are made in split seconds and at times, unconscious beliefs and widespread societal opinions may take over. Provide an example of a situation where at least one criminal justice professional (from the four components) may experience this dilemma and how he/she can ensure the best use of ethical and legal standards.
