Criminal Justice

The Process of Criminal Justice

# Step 1  - Registration of FIRST INFORMATION REPORT (FIR).

# Step 2 - The police proceeds to crime scene and investigate the fact of the case police investigation mainly include : 

•     Examination of the crime scene.
•     Security of the crime scene
•     Examination of vittnes or suspect.
•     Recording of the statement.
•     Conducting search.
•     Collecting evidences from the crime scene.
•     Making entries in the prescripted recordss like case diary or documentation of the crime scene.
•     If possible arrest suspect.
•     Formation of charge sheat. 

# Step 3 - After investigation the Officer incharge of the police station . Send charge sheat to the megistrate. If the charge sheat have sufficient scientific evidence proof then court initiate the trail of the case.

# Step 4 - If the trail ends in conviction the court may abort any of the following punishment : 

• Fine
• Simple imprisenment
• Rigrous imprisenment
• Imprisenment for life 
• Death sentence

Goals of Criminal Justice

• Justice for victims and society

• Punishment of offenders

• Deterrence of future crime

• Rehabilitation of offenders

• Protection of society

1. Law Enforcement (Police and Investigation)

This is the first stage of the criminal justice system.

Role

• Maintain law and order

• Investigate reported crimes

• Collect evidence

• Arrest suspects

• File chargesheets or reports

Key agencies

• Police departments

• Central investigative agencies (e.g., CBI in India, FBI in the US)

• Narcotics, traffic, and cybercrime divisions

Process

1. Filing of FIR (First Information Report) – a crime is reported

2. Investigation – gathering evidence, questioning witnesses

3. Arrest – suspect is taken into custody

4. Charge sheet – formal accusation submitted to the court

2. Judiciary (Courts and Trial Process)

This is the second stage, where guilt or innocence is determined.

Role

• Conduct fair and impartial trials

• Ensure rights of the accused and victims are protected

• Decide verdicts (guilty or not guilty)

• Impose punishments or acquittals

Types of courts

• Lower/Subordinate Courts – handle minor or preliminary matters

• District/Sessions Courts – try serious offences

• High Courts – handle appeals and writ petitions

• Supreme Court – final court of appeal and constitutional authority

Process

1. Trial begins – prosecution and defense present evidence

2. Examination of witnesses

3. Arguments by lawyers

4. Judgment and sentencing

3. Corrections (Punishment and Rehabilitation)

This is the final stage, after the verdict.

Role

• Enforce the sentence (jail, fine, probation, etc.)

• Rehabilitate offenders and reintegrate them into society

• Prevent reoffending (recidivism)

Types of punishment

• Imprisonment

• Fines

• Community service

• Probation or parole

• Death penalty (in rarest of rare cases, in some countries)

Institutions involved

• Prisons and jails

• Juvenile detention centers

• Probation and parole boards

• Rehabilitation centers

    JUDICIAL HIERARCHY        

Civil Courts (District Side)