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What Is Criminal Justice?

What Is Criminal Justice?

Here are a few definitions of criminal justice as a field of study and employment:

• "Criminal justice is the scientific study and application of law and natural sciences to the social phenomena of crime and delinquency. The focus of criminal justice centers on definitions, causation, prevention, legal processes, and the treatment or rehabilitation of criminals in our society."

 — College Board Book of Majors, 2^nd edition

• "Criminal justice" means activities relating to the detection, apprehension, detention, pretrial release, post-trial release, prosecution, adjudication, correctional supervision or rehabilitation of accused persons or criminal offenders. The administration of criminal justice includes criminal identification activities and the collection, storage and dissemination of criminal history records.

 — State Legislature of Maine

• "Criminal justice refers to the system used by government to maintain social control, enforce laws, and administer justice. Law enforcement (police), courts, and corrections are the primary agencies charged with these responsibilities."

 — "Criminal justice," Wikipedia.com entry

• "Criminal justice…its curriculum integrates social sciences, behavioral sciences, and humanities with professional courses that address topics such as terrorism, victimology, drug abuse, computer crime, criminal investigation, prison overcrowding, women in criminal justice, ethics, and legal issues."

 — College Majors Handbook, 2^nd edition

• "Law enforcement agencies are encouraging applicants to take postsecondary school training in law enforcement-related subjects. Many entry-level applicants for police jobs have completed some formal postsecondary education and a significant number are college graduates."

 — America's 101 Fastest Growing Jobs, 8^th edition

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