CHAPTER 1
Myth v. Reality
Many people form opinions about the criminal justices system from the media. But how true are these images of justice?
Developing the criminal justice system
Introduction--London Metropolitan Police was the first police agency and was developed in 1829. The first police agencies in the United States were in Boston (1838), New York (1844); and Philadelphia (1854). Criminal justice system was first recognized in 1919, by the Chicago crime commission.
The modern era of justice
Modern era of justice can be traced to a series of research projects begun in the 1950 under the sponsorship of the American Bar Foundation.
Federal involvement in criminal justice
President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice was appointed by President Johnson in 1967.
Passage of the Safe Streets and Crime Control Act of 1968
Helped launch massive campaign to restructure criminal justice system
Provided funding for the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA)

The contemporary criminal justice system
Introduction—The criminal justice system is society’s instrument of social control. The contemporary criminal justice system in the United Sates is monumental in size. The system is massive because it must process and care for millions of people. The criminal justice system can be divided into three main components: law enforcement agencies, court system, and correctional system.
The formal criminal justice process
Introduction: Few cases are actually processed through the entire formal system. A comprehensive view of formal criminal process normally includes:
Initial contact
In most cases first contact with the system a result of police action.
Investigation
It could take a few minutes of many years.
Arrest
You would need probable cause
Custody
Here searches, interrogations and identification procedures can take