Learning Objectives

After reading this chapter, students will be able to:

  • Identify the three main components of the criminal justice system
  • Determine whether cases reported in the media adequately reflect the bulk of cases processed through the justice system
  • Describe the relationship between the criminal justice system and the juvenile justice system
  • Explain how criminal justice is a social science
  • Describe the history of criminal justice as a field of study
  • Compare and contrast criminal justice and criminology
  • Explain the role that criminal justice has in their life
  • Describe the process of ethical decision making in the criminal justice system