Iesha Babers
American Intercontinental University
Unit 1 Individual Project
CRJS101 – Foundation of Criminal Justice
05/05/2013

Abstract
The process of the criminal justice system is very complex, and sometimes it can be confusing to person that does not understand how it works. The function of the criminal justice system from investigation, to arrest, to defendant’s right, and on to trial procedures can be very complex.

Overview of the Criminal Justice System.
Introduction
The foundation of the criminal justice system plays an important part in keeping up with a peaceful, safe, and just society. It does this by keeping the public safe, protecting the rights of the people, and enforcing the law.
Police Officer
Police officers have a duty to protect property and life by enforcing ordinance’s and laws. They take police assignment orders from officers that are of superior rank. Their day to day duties include, but are not limited to routine street patrol, traffic regulations, prelim investigations, investigate in designated areas. At times shifts can be very dangerous police officers must be able to form their duties and use good judgment when it comes to emergencies without the direct supervision. Police officers may receive special duties such as assisting other personal with searches, interrogations, dealing with suspects or prisoners as well as escorting criminals or suspects from one point to another. Duties, special, and general instructions are received from officers of a higher rank also known as a superior officer. Superior officer’s reviews police officers work methods and results via reports, discussion, and personal inspection’s (www.officer.com).
District Attorney’s Office
A district attorney is an appointed public official of a designated district or a county or is elected into office. If appointed their duties are governed by the state law their main duties are to investigate crimes, manage the prosecutor’s office and present evidence to the grand jury and file criminal charges. District Attorney’s also have specific duties such as advice grand juries of the matters of the law, swear and examine witnesses before the grand jury. The also write up indictments and try to prosecute all offenses that has an indictment (www.uslegal.com).
Defense Counsel
Defense counsel is an attorney that represents the defendant either that the defendant paid for or that was appointed by the court because the defendant could not afford defense counsel. The defense counsel must represent the defendant to the best of their ability they must be involved in all process’s dealing with the defendant or defense. The defense counsel should appear on behalf of their client at all proceedings; however the defense counsel are not required to bring up unfounded or untrue claims. If a defendant feels that their defense counsel did not represent them correctly during pre-trial or trial then the defendant may request an appeal that he/she was not represented effectively and may request a new trial and this is stated by the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution (www.bertrandlaw.com).
Federal, State, and Local Judges/Magistrates
Judges/magistrates apply the law and oversee the legal process in the courts. They negotiate between the defense counsel and the district attorney and resolve administrative duties. They are employed by federal, state, and local governments majority of them work in court rooms. Federal judges/magistrates enforce Constitutional Rights of the people when branches of the government are in default (www.schlor.valpo.edu). State judges/magistrates are selected by the citizens the run for office as a member of a political party and local judges/magistrates grant the final approval and may reject items proposed by either party.
Investigate & Prosecutorial Stages
The pre-arrest investigation takes after a suspicious criminal activity has