Verified Document

Criminal Justice Critique On Policing Term Paper

This study indicates that introducing new policing methods can be extremely problematic, (at least in the RCMP organization), and that it can lead to dissention in departments and even in executive areas. It also shows a shift in overall thinking and governance to a more liberal outlook, both on crime and in the public, and it seems this shift is likely to continue. This seems to be a result of an overall shift in the public's awareness and needs in policing, and it should continue in the future. This seems to be continued in the public outcry and legislative response introducing legislation to get tougher on crime, as well.

Finally, the final article expresses the views of Canadians on three key issues: sentencing severity, the purposes of sentencing, and mandatory sentences of imprisonment. Canadians over the past 30 years have felt these issues are too lenient, and this continues, even though there have been legislative efforts to create harsher sentencing laws for many different crimes, including gun crimes and perpetual criminals. Mandatory sentencing is popular in many nations, especially when the criminal is a repeat offender, or it has to do with gun offenses.

The legislature recently approved mandatory sentencing for gun offenses, including breaking and entering or robbery with the intent to steal a firearm. However, it seems these sentences, although they address a key issue, are far too light to be of any real use. For example, a first conviction would be a three-year minimum sentence, and the second would be a five-year minimum sentence. These penalties do not seem harsh enough, especially since...

Therefore, the public may be right, these sentencing guidelines seem strict, but in reality, they are not that strict at all. Another aspect of these sentencing laws is prison size and the ability to grow with new convictions. If these gun laws result in more convictions, where will the prisoners be housed?
This also indicates the difference between what happens in the courts and public perception. This study found that a majority of those polled felt the judicial system was too lenient toward convicting prisoners, even if that has not historically been the case. Public perception can be far different from reality, and that illustrates the difficulties with allowing public perception to sway criminal justice reforms and legislation. To back this up, many respondents did not know what crimes currently carry a mandatory sentence, and yet, they find judges too lenient! Public perception can sway legislative reform, and that is not always good.

References

Deukmedjian, J.E. (July 2006). From community to intelligence: Executive realignment of RCMP mission. Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice. 523-542.

Office of the Prime Minister, (2006). Tackling crime: Stronger laws. Retrieved from the Government of Canada Web site: http://www.tacklingcrime.gc.ca/stronger_laws_e.asp19 Oct. 2007.

Roberts, J.V., Crutcher, N. And Verbrugge, P. (2007). Public attitudes to sentencing in Canada: Exploring recent findings. Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice. 75-107.

Sources used in this document:
References

Deukmedjian, J.E. (July 2006). From community to intelligence: Executive realignment of RCMP mission. Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice. 523-542.

Office of the Prime Minister, (2006). Tackling crime: Stronger laws. Retrieved from the Government of Canada Web site: http://www.tacklingcrime.gc.ca/stronger_laws_e.asp19 Oct. 2007.

Roberts, J.V., Crutcher, N. And Verbrugge, P. (2007). Public attitudes to sentencing in Canada: Exploring recent findings. Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice. 75-107.
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Criminal Justice As Portrayed in
Words: 930 Length: 3 Document Type: Movie Review

The criminal association principle suggests that being socialized to regard crime as acceptable or to admire criminals plays a role in the choices made in that regard. The fact that Pistone and Napolitano were actually raised in very similar circumstances where each had the same type of exposure to organized crime families illustrates that rational choice is more important than criminal association because Pistone made the conscious choice to

Criminal Justice Management
Words: 1991 Length: 6 Document Type: Article Review

Criminal Justice Management Mapping Crime Hotspots to Deter Crime Reducing crime is a constant concern of law enforcement and community leaders. Police strategies for reducing crime rely heavily on deterrence, in the form of police patrols (reviewed by Koper, 1995, p. 649-650). Research has shown that a police presence reminds offenders and potential offenders of the certainty of punishment, which is a more effective deterrent than the promised severity of a punishment.

Criminal Justice Explain Community Corrections
Words: 2096 Length: 7 Document Type: Term Paper

This may mean an expansion of white-collar task forces designed to investigate such crimes. Question Predictions are that terrorist will continue to commit heinous criminal acts against our citizens in the future. If this prediction comes true, what, if any, effects will this have on the corrections system. Will Criminal Justice Administrators need to rethink what "model" (more punitive or restorative model) of justice should be used if more and more

Criminal Justice: The Death Penalty Reasons for
Words: 6266 Length: 20 Document Type: Capstone Project

Criminal Justice: The Death Penalty Reasons for topic selection Causes of racial prejudice and discrimination Juvenile in delinquent society theory Culture and values Official and unofficial values The effectiveness of the death penalty The death penalty is irreversible The death penalty is barbaric Changes to the death sentence Implemented changes Sentencing guidelines Bifurcated trials Automatic appellate conviction review Proportionality review The importance of proposed changes Anticipated outcome Life imprisonment; alternative to death sentences The costs Decency standards Overall efficiency Policies in support of incarceration Conclusion References Background Despite the controversy over how effective it is

Criminal Justice Theory and Policy
Words: 2584 Length: 7 Document Type: Discussion Chapter

The reduction occurs through allowing the counties to acquire other methods of jailing apart from the prisons. This includes out-of custody rehabilitative treatments, which could serve in reducing the number of the criminals taken to the prisons. However, the AB109 criminals must be individuals whose crime are not violent and not that serious as provided by the law. This means that that jailing of the A109 criminals in other

Criminal Justice: Felony-Murder
Words: 1303 Length: 4 Document Type: Term Paper

Take, for instance, a felon who sexually abuses a five-year-old; if such a person is not rational enough to realize the weight of the problems they inflict on their victims, how would they even begin to think and weigh their actions against the provisions of the felony-murder rule? if, for argument's sake, we assume that criminals are rational, there still is nothing much they can do to control crime

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now