The Importance of Ethics in Criminal Justice - Essay Example

The Importance of Ethics in Criminal Justice 30/09/14 People working in different professional fields are expected to perform their work in the best possible way. The expectation is built on by the world they work. They, therefore, need to follow a certain order that governs their professions. In the philosophy, ethics is considered as a platform at which the regulations governing a certain profession is laid. The set rule and regulations enable a person to maintain the respect from the society that he, or she represents (Singer, 1995). The regulations determine what is a right or wrong behaviour of a professional in the eyes of the community (Singer, 1995). A good example is that a society would not expect to see a drunk police officer or a drunk teacher. The association of a drunk teacher will mean that the children who have been entrusted to him by the parents and the community will copy his behaviour in future, creating a drunkard nation. Therefore, ethics is a code of conduct applied to shape a professional attitude, both at work and off duty. Criminal justice is a process by which a suspect of a criminal offender is taken to prove his or her guiltiness. The process involves a suspected criminal, the police to whom the criminal activity is first reported, witnesses to the criminal incident and the judiciary. The four category of people is supposed to conduct themselves in a manner that will ensure that justice. The process is essential as it leads to judgement that is supposed to punish the culprit. When the justice is not reached and an innocent person is jailed, or a suspect freed, then the judicial process will not have accomplished its purpose. Ethics is an important aspect that the police should have in their daily life when handling a suspect. They should handle and interrogate a suspect in a manner that the suspect will not feel mishandled. In some situations where suspects may be innocent; it would be wise not to cause pain to them in the search of evidence. Applying ethics in this situation gives the suspected criminals to give evidence that may lead to the arrest of the actual criminals. When the police follows, carefully the codes of conduct in their process to enforce law and order in the society will create a trust and good relationship with the citizens. Normally, the police, usually, acquire news concerning law and order in the society from the citizens. The citizens, usually, give information concerning the existence of a criminal group. They also give information on the possible criminals who could have done some robbery or any other criminal activities in the area. The police could lose this information if they were to be brutal towards the citizens. The citizens would choose to keep quite instead of giving an information to an unfriendly corps. The lack of the cooperation between the police and the citizens will mean that the criminal cases will rise, and justice will not be achieved. Police are worldwide known to miss handle suspect that mostly lead to serious injuries and sometimes the loose of life. Harassing the suspects means that the suspects are not given some time to express themselves. The police due to lack of ethics may harm an innocent suspect. Therefore, it is important to have ethics by respecting other people in the cause of justice. Some ethics is required in the cause of justice while searching for an information regarding the suspected criminals. The information may be very serious and dangerous when leaked into the society. The ethics require that the police be very secretive and therefore it would be the importance for the police to conduct themselves in an ethical way. The release of such information may lead to unrest or even the loose of the suspects. Important evidence may also be lost if the information is leaked. The police must, therefore, learn to keep secret if the justice system is to be maintained. Judiciary is another organ responsible in ensuring justice is done to the citizens. The judiciary should always apply the codes of conducts whenever they are conducting their duties. The codes of ethics in this profession enables the judiciary to deliver a precise judgement that ensures justice to the parties involved. There are various principles that are required to be observed by judges in the quest to deliver their judgement. The judges are required to examine the mental fitness of the suspected criminals and the available witnesses. Sometimes some insane members of the society are brought before the judges as witnesses or defendants. When this situation happens, the judge may not be able to conduct the judicial process. Wrong information may be given to the judges. Without proper mental examination of the source of information, the judges may give a wrong verdict. The wrong verdict may demoralise the citizen and make the institution less desirable to them as a way of acquiring justice. The justice required to make a ruling in the court of law are required to be ethical in the way they handle their clients. Discrimination may arise in terms of social category of the clients. When a rich person appears before the court against a poor one, the judges should be wise not to serve the interest of any of them depending on the social, economic status of either. The judge is required to give a fair hearing to both parties as a way of establishing the truth. Fair hearing is an ethic that gives the citizens the confidence that the institution is of course bets in establishing justice in the society. They, therefore, give the courts the maximum cooperation and respect required. Social discrimination and fair justice may be interrupted by corruption. Corrupt judges may inquire for some money or other favours in order to give a verdict in favour of someone. The judges may have demeaned their status as the most dependable institution in dispute resolution. In order to maintain their respect and trust from the citizens, the judges are required to free their hand from corruption. The judiciary is required to maintain a social respect by conducting themselves in various ways. They are supposed to detach themselves from some social activities that do not receive honour from the society. Some activities like associating with drunkards or street talks may degrade the honour and dignity that the society perceives them. The importance of this ethic is to maintain the respect, honour and trust that the society accords them. Therefore, the codes of ethics are carefully needed to be followed by the judges in the judicial system. Parties involved in the court system from whom evidence is drawn, and judgement is to be made are supposed to be aware of the codes of conducts that they are required to observe. The ethical issues in this case are to be carefully followed for proper execution of the judgement. They are in the first place required to appear before the court where their mind is sober. Sober mind will accelerate the understanding of the questions asked and the answers given in front of the court. Witnesses are mostly made to swear before producing evidence before the court. Swearing is taking an oath that the information they will give is absolutely true (Singer, 1995). True information helps the judges to make a good judgement. Ethical issue is a broad account that is important in the criminal justice. Every other profession has an outlined codes of conduct that drives the professionals in their daily work. Ethics needs to be strictly followed by professions to enhance the delivery of services to those who needs them. References Singer, P. (1995). The Importance of Ethics in Criminal Justice. New York: New York Publishers. Read More