Programming and the Portrayal of the Three Components of Our Criminal Justice Systemice in Courts

Defining Criminal Justice: Programming and the Portrayal of the Three Components of Our Criminal Justice System

Vicki Manning

CRJS300-1204A-01

AIU UT1 IP

August 26, 2012

Program Sources

This paper discusses four television programs, one motion picture film, and one documentary. They depict the three components of our criminal justice system; the police, courts, and the correctional system. Most of these sources do not spend much time with the corrections area, however, they do let the viewer know that the suspect is going to jail/prison for a good, long time or that the defendant is walking away with no charges pending. These particular sources also portray discussions of “backroom” settlements/out-of-court deals.

Television

Waking the Dead is a series from the British Broadcast Company. The team is named the “Cold Case Squad”, made up of police detectives and scientists who reopen old, unsolved cases. They do this by using modern technology methods and science that were not available at the time of the original investigations. This particular television series steers away from the courtroom drama, but shows plenty of the police team and their tactics for finding the truth and touches on the corrections issues. Usually the courtroom scenes include testimony by the squad in order to serve warrants or go in front of the Crown for Grand Jury-type issues.

The second television program is Law & Order. This series claims that it is not based on any real-life persons or crimes; however, this is not true. This show portrays the police techniques and courtroom scenes for the most part. Interrogations at the police station and in the court room are how they find the truth. The original Law & Order series takes you from the crime, all the way through the verdict or sentencing of the court. It takes the viewer through the different stages of the crime scene, investigations, interrogations, discussions with the D.A.’s office, through the court proceedings, and usually through sentencing. Based in New York, the criminals are threatened with being sent to Ryker’s Island for their prison stay if they do not cooperate. Bail issues are a huge issue in this show. Most episodes deal with murders, but not all. The good guys do not always win in this series.

The third of the four television programs is Perry Mason. Taped in the latter 1950’s and into the mid 1960’s, Perry is a highly intelligent lawyer who does much of his own leg work. He has a secretary and an associate that is a former police officer, now private detective. These two characters get grossly involved in these cases, but