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CRIMINAL JUSTICECRIMINAL JUSTICE

 is the system of practices and institutions of governments directed at upholding social control, deterring and mitigating crime, or sanctioning those who violate laws with criminal penalties and rehabilitation efforts

The Philippine Government have organized and established institutions which serves to maintain peace and order. These institutions are responsible for preventing crimes, enforcement of laws, apprehension and prosecution for those who violated the law. If, the courts of Law finds them guilty for committing crime they shall be confined in order for those people to be rehabilitated and reintegrate them into the community as law abiding citizens.

As we shall see, OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS COMPOSED OF FIVE PILLARS THAT FUNCTION LIKE A CHAIN OF LINKS. ANY WEAKNESS IN ANY OF THESE LINKS BREAKS THE CHAIN, RESULTING TO A BREAKDOWN OF THE SYSTEM: INORDINATE DELAYS IN THE PROCEEDINGS, ACQUITTAL OF THE GUILTY AND CONVICTION OF THE INNOCENT. 

Such weakness can be caused by lack of concern on the part of people in the community, or inefficiency and corruption on the part of the public officials composing the four (4) other pillars

Five Pillars of Criminal Justice System

1. The Community

2. The Law Enforcement

3. The Prosecution

4. The Courts

5. The Correctional Institution

THE COMMUNITY Refers to institution, government, and non-

government agencies and people’s organizations that provide care and assistance to the victims or offended party during and after the onset of victim’s rights case.

The Filipino community produces

our law enforcers (policemen, traffic enforcers, NBI agents, PDEA agents, COA auditors, Ombudsman fact-finding investigators, etc.);

prosecutors (DOJ and Ombudsman prosecutors/investigators);

judges (Municipal Trial Courts, Regional Trial Courts and Sharia Courts); justices (Sandiganbayan, Court of Tax Appeals and the Supreme Court);

and correction officials and personnel (municipal jails, provincial jails, city jails, the Bureau of Corrections [Muntinlupa] and other correctional facilities).

A rotten community will always produce rotten law enforcers, prosecutors, judges, justices and correction officials. The spring cannot rise above its source.

Members of the community are also the victims of crimes, direct or indirect. They are also the beneficiaries of an efficient and effective criminal justice system in the form of a peaceful and fear-free environment.

The community is also the greatest source of information about the commission of a crime. It is from the community that most witnesses come, including victims and whistleblowers.Most crimes against property (theft, robbery, etc.) are dismissed because the victim does not testify in court, especially when the stolen property is recovered. Hence, thieves and robbers are set free, free again to steal and rob! 

LAW ENFORCEMENT

It involves government agencies charged with the enforcement of penal laws.

THE PROSECUTION

Refers to National Prosecution Service (NPS). The NPS is mandated to investigate and prosecute penal violations. It collates, evaluates evidence in the preliminary inquest investigation and dismisses or files the case in court as indicated.

THE COURTS

Refers to the Municipal Trial Court (MTS) and Regional Trial Courts designated to and try the case and issue judgment after trial.

CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION

Refers to the institutions mandated to administer both correctional and rehabilitation programs for the offenders.

THANK YOU and

Good day!