Make an argument for the statement that the justice system should not operate like a well-
oiled, machine-like, smooth-running "system."
Post Merge: 11 years ago
In many ways, the police, courts, and corrections components work and interact to function like a process, a network, or even a nonsystem. However, the justice system may still constitute a true system. As Willa Dawson stated, “Administration of justice can be regarded as a system by most standards. It may be a poorly functioning system but it does meet the criteria nonetheless. The systems approach is still in its infancy.” J. W. La Patra added that “I do believe that a criminal justice system [CJS] does exist, but that it functions very poorly. The CJS is a loosely connected, nonharmonious, group of social entities.” To be fair, however, perhaps this method of dealing with offenders is best after all; it may be that having a well-oiled machine—in which all activities are coordinated, goals and objectives are unified, and communication between participants is maximized, all serving to grind out justice in a highly efficacious manner—may not be what we truly want or need in a democracy.
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