Prosecutors are among the most important stakeholders in the criminal justice system. The role that they play help to ensure that justice is delivered. While most prosecutors execute their mandate faithfully, there are those whose performance falls below expected standards. In such places as Baltimore, prosecutors are receiving blame for the acquittal of individuals facing charges. To ensure that justice is served, prosecutors need to work closely with other parties. Whether an individual is acquitted or found guilty hinges largely on the quality of work that the prosecutor delivers.
Importance of Final Report
Final reports that prosecutors prepare are among the documents that courts rely on to determine cases. Well-prepared reports play a number of important functions. One, the final report offers a basis for law enforcement officials to act (“Report Writing”, n.d). For example, a report that details the violations that an individual has committed allows the police to initiate an arrest. Two, the final report serves as a record of the memories of such parties as witnesses. This record is important as it allows for the preservation of the memories before they fade (“Report Writing”, n.d). Moreover, the record may contain evidence which helps the prosecution to make its case. The third role of the final report is that it serves as evidence in itself (“Report Writing”, n.d). The court examines the report in its deliberations. Overall, the prosecutor’s report plays a critical role in securing a conviction.
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For the prosecutor’s report to serve the functions described above, it needs to be prepared properly. Reports that are not completed properly could have adverse impacts on the prosecution. In the discussion above, it has been noted that the report serves as evidence and a documentation of memories. When it is not prepared well, the report may omit crucial details and evidence. Consequently, it will be difficult for the prosecutor to make present a compelling case. The miscarriage of justice through the acquittal of a guilty person is another reality that could result when the prosecution fails to complete the report properly. Since the court relies on the report in reaching its decision, it may dismiss the claims of the prosecution on the basis of a poorly prepared report. It is critical for prosecutors to commit resources and effort in the preparation of final reports.
Stages in the Criminal Justice Process
The criminal justice process is composed of a number of important stages. Each of these stages facilitates successful litigation. The process begins when a crime is committed (Carrabine et al., 2004). At this stage, the role of the prosecutor is rather limited. In the second stage, a fact-finding operation is conducted. The purpose of the operation is to establish that a crime was indeed committed and to gather preliminary evidence. The evidence collected at this stage boosts the chances of a successful litigation. The third and fourth stages involve appeals for investigation and the actual conduct of the investigation (Carrabine et al., 2004). These steps are crucial since they allow for the collection of evidence and other information that enables the prosecution to make a solid case. At the fifth stage, a warrant is issued and an arrest is performed in the sixth stage. Enabling the police to formally introduce the perpetrator to the criminal justice system is the main purpose that these stages fulfill. When a suspect is identified and arrested, it becomes easier to prosecute a case. At the seventh stage, the charges are framed and the case proceeds to trial. These stages are crucial as they enable the court to gain a proper understanding of the issues in question. During the trial, evidence is presented. The presentation of evidence determines whether the litigation will be successful. Sentencing and the lodging of appeals constitute the tail section of the criminal justice process (Carrabine et al., 2004). These stages are the result of the earlier processes and do not have a significant impact on litigation. Instead, they offer an indication of whether the litigation was successful. A guilty verdict and a long sentence suggest that the litigation was indeed successful.
Criminal Investigator’s Role
Criminal investigators work with other parties to deliver justice. Collecting evidence at the crime scene is one of the roles that the criminal investigator plays as he prepares a case for court (Goldsworthy, 2009). The evidence collected enables the prosecution to present a solid case. In addition to collecting evidence, the criminal investigator also gathers information from such parties as witnesses and the suspects. This information adds to the evidence that the prosecution presents. Other roles that the criminal investigator may perform include processing and presenting evidence in court (Goldsworthy, 2009). All the functions that the criminal investigator serves are geared toward aiding the prosecution of a case.
The criminal investigator does not function alone. In most cases, he collaborates with the prosecutor. The purpose of the collaboration is to persuade the court that the accused committed the crime. The criminal investigator gathers evidence and information, as indicated above. On the other hand, the prosecutor presents this information in court. It is the duty of the prosecutor to ensure that the evidence and information obtained from the criminal investigator leads to a guilty verdict. Overall, the partnership between these two officers is choreographed such that the evidence collected has an impact on the criminal justice process.
Not Guilty v. Acquitted
Not guilty and acquitted are terms that are usually used interchangeably. While they refer to the same principle, these terms are different. On the other one hand, ‘not guilty’ means that after reviewing a case, the court has determined that there lacks evidence which conclusively establishes that the accused committed a crime. On the other hand, ‘acquitted’ is a declaration issued by the court which absolves the accused of all wrongdoing and restores his freedom. There are various factors that could lead to an acquittal. Prosecutor’s bangling cases are among these factors. In determining a case, the court scrutinizes the evidence and the arguments presented. If the evidence is found to be insufficient, the court is forced to acquit the accused. The acquittal can even occur when it is understood that the accused did indeed commit the crime.
Changes in Criminal Investigation
Criminal investigation is fluid and dynamic. It responds to changes that take place in the criminal justice system. Over the next 20 years, criminal investigation is likely to undergo a number of important changes. Among these changes is the accelerated adoption of modern technology. Technology promises to transform how investigations are conducted. Today, investigators rely on outdated approaches to conduct their duties. Thanks to the adoption of technology, it will be possible to use machine learning to predict crime (“How Technology is Impacting” 2017). As a result, criminal investigators will be able to anticipate and respond to crimes before they are even committed. Electronic monitoring and the use of sensor technologies are other elements of technology that can aid criminal investigation (“How Technology is Impacting” 2017). As criminal investigators recognize the value of modern technology, they will abandon their ineffective approaches that are currently in use. The integration of modern technology into criminal investigation will enhance the operations of the criminal justice system. The criminal justice system will undoubtedly witness fewer cases of miscarriage of justice. It is therefore vital for the system to take all necessary steps to ensure the successful adoption of modern technology.
In conclusion, the criminal justice system is at the heart of the delivery of justice. The stakeholders in this system work tirelessly to keep communities safe and criminals in prison. Criminal investigators and prosecutors are among the stakeholders whose input facilitates the function of the criminal justice system. By performing such roles as preparing reports, prosecutors allow courts to find criminals guilty. On the other hand, criminal investigators collect information and evidence that are then presented before the court. Given the vital roles that they play, prosecutors and criminal investigators should execute their mandate faithfully.
References
Carrabine, E., Iganski, P., Lee, M., Plummer, K., & South, N. (2004). Criminology: a Sociological introduction. Psychology Press.
Goldsworthy, T. (2009). The criminal investigator. Bond University. Retrieved June 8, 2018
From https://epublications.bond.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1450&context=hss_pubs
How Technology is Impacting our Criminal Justice System. (2017). Forbes. Retrieved June 8,
2018 from https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2017/05/11/how-technology-is-impacting-our-criminal-justice-system/#d0ea01226de1
Report Writing. A Prosecutor’s Perspective. (n.d). Retrieved June 8, 2018 from
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/academy/documents/stormwater_enforcement/maclear_report_writing.pdf
