Essay On Crime Control Model

551 Words3 Pages

The major differences between the crime control and due process models are very evident. The biggest difference is from the political viewpoint, the “crime control model reflects traditional conservative values, while the due process model embodies traditional liberal values” (Bohm & Haley, 2011, p. 17). Your political stance will definitely convey which criminal justice process you stand for. The crime control model is based off of efficiency, speed, and finality (Bohm & Haley, 2011). Using the McDonald’s analogy stated by Bohm, the crime control model systematically speeds up the cases to attain closure rather quickly. The biggest way that the crime control model accomplishes rapid closure is through plea bargaining. A person who …show more content…

I am a firm believer that everyone makes mistakes and depending on the crime, they deserve a second chance. As a young trooper I used to take it personal when the assistant district attorney would allow the defendant to plead guilty to a lesser charge. As time went on and I became more familiar with the court system, I realized why plea bargains happened. Even though they pled guilty to a lesser charge, they still were punished financially, went through the embarrassment of going through the court system, and could never appeal the plea bargain. Often, a conviction of a certain crime will cost the defendant their career, certifications, and family, so allowing them to take a plea bargain will avoid losing what is important to them. The majority will learn from their mistake and never repeat the offense again. Some will not learn from their mistake or second chance and become repeat offenders. The repeat offenders will then sustain harsher punishment and a plea bargain is usually off of the table. Although I like ideas from both of the models, as a conservative and knowing how the court system works, I feel that the crime control model is the most effective. It does not congest the court system with lesser offenses by allowing the defendant to plead guilty to a lesser charge. I also believe that people make mistakes and by given a second