The Effectiveness of the Criminal Justice System

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
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Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
THE NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES..............................................................3
THE CROWN PROSECUTION SERVICE...................................................................................4
THE NATIONAL OFFENDER MANAGEMENT SERVICE.......................................................5
THE YOUTH JUSTICE BOARD...................................................................................................6
THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE.......................................................................................................7
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL..................................................................................7
THE CRIMINAL CASE REVIEW COMMISSION......................................................................8
LOCAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE PARTNERSHIPS.........................................................................8
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
RECOMMENDATIONS...............................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12
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INTRODUCTION
Before delving into the functions, roles, and responsibilities of public service and related
agencies in increasing the effectiveness of the criminal justice system of the United Kingdom, it
is important for one to understand comprehensively how this criminal justice system works. The
Criminal Justice System of the United Kingdom covers both England and Wales (Trueman,
2019). It is one of the major public services that is offered by the United Kingdom.
The United Kingdom Criminal Justice System comprises of various agencies departments and
organizations. All these bodies often work together to improve this system. In this collective
initiative, a lot has been achieved in the Criminal Justice system. However, the success rate from
the impact of this collective working initiative has not been 100%. This will be discussed further
in this report.
This report seeks to address the role, functions, and responsibilities of the public service and
related agencies involved in the criminal justice system while giving examples of how effective
this has been in reducing reoffending (Knowles, 2018).
The essential agencies, initiatives, and departments working in the Criminal Justice System
include:
 The National Law Enforcement agencies
 The crown prosecution
 The Secret Intelligence Service
 The National Offender Management Service
 The Youth Justice Board
 The Ministry of Justice
 The Office of the Attorney General
 The Criminal Case Review
 Local Criminal Justice Partnerships
THE NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
Law enforcement is organized differently according to different jurisdiction in the United
Kingdom. These jurisdictions comprise of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
However, these jurisdictions share one common similarity, that is, the police force is bestowed
with the role of law enforcement. The National Crime Agency that has its jurisdiction across the
United Kingdom serves as a complement to the various police forces from Wales, Scotland,
England and Northern Ireland. A special police force was created by the Serious Organized
Crime and Police Act of 2005. These Special Forceswere however replaced by the National
Crime Agency in 2013.
I. The National Crime Agency
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The roles of the National Crime Agency include:
 Investigation and disruption of high risk and serious organized crimes
 Enhancement of the intelligence picture of serious and organized crimes
 Provision of specialized skills to law enforcement
Case Study
Only created in 2013 to replace the defunct Serious Organized Crimes Agency. The National
Crime Agency as assumed the roles of other agencies such as the Child Exploitation and Online
Protection Centre (CEOP) and the National Policing Improvement Agency roles (BBC News,
2010).
The National Crime Agency has carried out some notable and successful operation. In 2014,
May 20 in Tottenham, United Kingdom, the National Crime Agency was involved in a shootout.
That led to the arrest of two persons who were later charged with attempted murder and being in
possession of firearms with the intention of endangering the lives of others. These arrests were
made by the National Crimes Agency. Moreover, when the police arrived at the crime scene a
third person was arrested for being in legal possession of firearms (London Live, 2014).
.Relationship with other agencies
Relationship with the legislature. The police force is tasked with the enforcement of the laws
passed by the legislature. The legislature is at the center of making laws related to the Criminal
Justice System. An example of such a law is the Criminal Law Act of 1977 which as an
amendment to the law regarding criminal conspiracy. This act was also an amendment to the
various acts of parliament such as the Criminal Law Act of 1977 and the Legal Aid Act of 1974.
All these acts of parliament were aimed at impacting the Criminal Justice System thus it is
necessary for the police to enforce them by arresting those who go against these laws.
Relationship with Courts System. It is the role of law enforcement agencies to make arrests
and carry out investigations that are necessary for the delivery and administration of justice. The
police are also tasked with the responsibility to testify before courts during criminal trials.
THE CROWN PROSECUTION SERVICE
This is an independent office led by the direction of public prosecution. Its main role is to
prosecute criminally related matters that have been investigated by the police and other
organizations which are mandated to carry out investigations. However, the Crown Prosecution
is at liberty to pick which case to pursue and which case not to.
The mandate of the Crown Prosecution Service is based on the principle of legality (Paul Schiff
Berman 2012). The principle of legality states that when prosecuting it should be done within the
law: no person should be prosecuted for what they have not done (Meagher & Groves, 2016).
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