|
|
Article: Legitimizing criminal justice policies and practices
- Article from:
- FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin
- Article date:
- October 1, 1997
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation Oct 1997. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
|
I'd like to speak about the legitimation of the criminal justice system in the United States. It is a subject that I take very seriously because we could easily take for granted that the system will be legitimate and, therefore, fail to do the work that will legitimate it in the eyes of citizens.
As citizens, we ask a great deal from the criminal justice system. We ask it to protect us from criminal attack-not just from the reality but also from the fear of being victimized. When criminal attacks occur, we want the system to soothe our indignation by catching the crooks and giving them their just desserts (while protecting their constitutional rights). We expect it to achieve these ...