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Introduction
This essay is about the ethical and professional responsibility of a criminal justice professional. Explanation on why such unprofessional conducts exist today along with the key areas that need to be done to effectively address such both conducts. This essay will also include examination and summary of the major issue of misconducts and ethics. Outlines will be written in a manner of identifying the reasons of professionalism and criminal justice issues, and inclusion of short proposal for administrator to accordingly address these opportunities within the criminal justice organization. And, finally, this essay will provide examples of administrative actions that will address professionalism and ethical issues of the organization.
About Ethics and Professionalism
Based on Peter Singer (1995), knowledge of ethics allows a person to question and evaluate presumptions that are generally not questioned in areas of action like business and state policies. Asking the criminal justice system should also be motivated. This contains raising issues regarding such subjects as the connection between criminal action and rights, the part of law enforcers, the place of penalties, the boundaries of penalties, the power of the state, the proper function of jails, equity in the office through creating a secured working place, and equivalent opportunity (Singer, 1995). Professional responsibilities based on the Professional Conduct for Prosecutors of the International Criminal Court (n.d.), Respect, secure and maintain the worldwide ideas of individual dignity and individual rights and, in particular, avoid governmental, social, spiritual, national, social, sexual or any other kind of inappropriate discrimination (Code of Conduct for Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court, p.5).
Covington & Bloom (2003) says that some of the reasons why misconduct exists in criminal justice system nowadays because of ignorance of structural and social reasons of crime, political policies that prescribe simplistic, inequality towards the crime suspects and victims, and many others (Covington & Bloom, 2003). The unprofessional conduct can be addressed effectively. And based on Dilulio, et. al.’s (1993) article, efficiency represents carrying out justice program activities with proper regard for value, proportionality; constitutional rights provided offenders and charged violators, and public safety. Guaranteeing equivalent treatment and managing of like violators and giving equivalent weight to lawfully relevant factors in sentencing represent the types of concerns generally indicated about the value of the criminal rights program (Dilulio, et. al, 1993). Some of the major issues in criminal justice system are; judges who sometimes unethically decides on the case and not based on his conscience, prosecutors who influence the police with their jobs, and as well as justice system’s pleas bargains, rules of evidence and sentencing (Drylie, n.d.)
Proposal and Four Ethical Administrative Actions
This proposal is for the improvement of the criminal justice system professionals whom should be more diligent in gathering information and evidences towards a more accurate decision to be made by the prosecutor. Considering the human right of the suspected law breaker should always be exercised to avoid wrong decision in the end of the process. And most importantly, exercising equality and fair treatment for both suspect and victim should be an outstanding procedure of the system. Based on Gerard Lynch (1998), some of the actins that can address the unprofessional conduct are; pleas bargaining in an adversarial system, where the guilt is determined, the process of administered justice, plea “bargaining” (Lynch, 1998).
Conclusion
A code of ethics can be believed of as an ethical compass that allows one chooses how to act in crucial moments. Ethics is particularly essential for those who are in a place of power and prominence, as these people have the biggest impact on community. Associates of the criminal justice system make incredibly crucial options every day and their options have a powerful impact on our lives. It is therefore crucial that these men and women do what is right and are totally free of biases.
References
The Code of Professional conduct for Prosecutors of the International Criminal Court. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.amicc.org/docs/prosecutor.pdf
Covington, S., & Bloom, B. (2003). Gendered Justice: Women in the Criminal Justice Sysyem. Retrieved from http://www.stephaniecovington.com/pdfs/4.pdf
Cowper, G. (2012, August 27). A Criminal Justice System for the 21st century. Retrieved from http://www.ag.gov.bc.ca/public/justice-reform/CowperFinalReport.pdf
Drylie, J. (n.d.). Ethics in criminal justice. Retrieved from http://www.kean.edu/~jdrylie/docs/Microsoft%20PowerPoint%20-%20Ethics%20Week%201.pdf
Lynch, G. E. (1998). Our administrative system of Criminal Justice. Retrieved from ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3485&context=flr
Singer, P. (1995). The Importance of Ethics in Criminal Justice. Retrieved from http://www.sagepub.com/upm-data/46945_CH_1.pdf
