Reading Assignment for Section 1.1

Read the following subsection from our online textbook: Section 1.1: Major Components.

What You Will Learn

In this section, you’ll dive into the differences between individual rights and the public-order perspective, understanding their importance in society. You’ll also explore why an order maintenance system is essential and how law plays a crucial role in it. Finally, you’ll gain insights into the criminal justice system, its main components, goals, and various interpretations of justice.

Student Learning Outcomes for Section 1.1

• SLO 1: Identify and describe the three primary components of the American criminal justice system and explain how they are connected through the rule of law.
• SLO 2: Explain the concept of discretion in policing and assess its implications for justice and community relations.
• SLO 3: Compare the roles of key participants in the adversarial court system, including prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, and juries.
• SLO 4: Distinguish between jails and prisons and evaluate the goals and practices associated with correctional institutions.
• SLO 5: Analyze different philosophical perspectives on justice—equality, equity, retributive justice, and procedural justice—and explain how due process supports civil liberties within the criminal justice system.