Criminal Justice: Due Process

700 Words3 Pages
Herbert Packer mentioned two values inherent in the Criminal Justice System; The crime control model and the due process model. Which model do you prefer, and why? The Crime Control Model and the Due Process Model both intend to serve a similar purpose: To reduce crime and protect the public. The crime control model places emphasis on reducing the crime in society through increased police and prosecutional powers. The criminal process exists to investigate crimes, screen suspects, detain dangerous defendants, and secure convictions of guilty parties. The punishments for criminals within this process are much more severe. The crime control model was created in order apprehend and convict. With this model would come more jails, prisons, punishments, higher need for the death penalty. With this model, there is no second chance. The due process model focuses on individual liberties and rights and is concerned with limiting the powers of government. The focus is on the accused and on his or her rights. The focus is also on providing some balance to the power and authority of the state. Due process protections under the Constitution force the state to fulfill its burden of proving its case against the accused. I personally prefer the due process model rather than the crime control model, The crime control model assumes guilt by fact. The person is guilty unless proven innocent. This is one of the downfalls of the Crime Control Model. The concern with this model is a quick and speedy conviction despite the innocence of the alleged criminal. Many wrongful convictions have been overturned because of the proponents of the crime control model. The due process model prevents and eliminates mistakes and protects the truly innocent. The entire process is fair and balanced. There are many cases I heard of and read where defendants were found not guilty after serving
Open Document