Running head: CRIMINAL JUSTICE 1

Criminal justice

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Criminal justice research is a critical part of the development of the criminal justice

system. Criminal justice research has been effective at shaping trends and changes in the various

sectors of the criminal justice system from law enforcement, judiciary and determining of

criminals. Criminal justice provides research-based evidence that refutes or support the various

hypothesis and long held beliefs in the criminal justice system. The research, therefore, helps to

transform the criminal justice field and ensure that the system adapts to the current environment

to better serve the needs of the public for safety. Criminal justice research also helps to direct

public policies on criminal justice as it provides valuable information to help decision-making

among the lawmakers.

Importance of theory

The development of effective criminal justice research is determined by the availability

of a good theory. Theory plays a critical role in leading the research. Theories are frameworks or

models for observation and understanding as noted by Kawulich (2009). Theories shape how we

view a given problem and helps the researcher to make links between the concrete evidence and

the abstract. Theories in criminal justice research help to create a connection between two or

more forms of the phenomena. Theory makes research great since it explains and predicts the

relationship that exists between the variables (Kawulich, 2009). Theories in criminal justice

research, therefore, guide the research and organize the different ideas to develop concrete

evidence to support or refute the hypothesis.

Impact of criminal justice research on policing, investigations and corrections

Criminal justice research has influence various acts of policing such as arrest in

misdemeanor domestic violence. Well carried out research can influence policies in the criminal

justice system and improve the way various acts of criminal justice such as law enforcement are
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carried. An analysis of Sherman & Berk (1984) identified that arrest of individuals’ suspects of

domestic violence reduces recidivism. The controlled study analyzed three groups regarding

interventions to cases of domestic violence. The three groups include actions taken by the police

after a domestic violence case was reported and they were, the arrest of the suspect, advice and

mediation, sending the abuser away for eight hours (Sherman & Berk, 1984). The findings of the

study showed that those arrested showed the lowest rate of reoffending. This evidence led to the

development of mandatory arrest policy for spousal violence when there is probable cause. Many

states have followed suit and implemented similar policies to tackle spousal violence (Hughes &

Masozi, 2013). The research, therefore, has increased the number of arrests made by the police in

spousal violence as it has been confirmed that it stops recidivism. The study conducted by

Sherman & Berk (1984) was well articulated and identified how the study was carried out

making it replicable and authentic. It played a vital role in determining how the law enforcement

agents handle domestic violence.

Other similar credible researchers have had an influence on the criminal justice system.

For example, research conducted by Holman & Ziedenberg (2006) have identified the negative

effects of juvenile detention. The study identified that juvenile detention has a psychological

impact on the youths increasing depression and suicide while it has high rates of recidivism

(Holman & Ziedenberg, 2006). The evidence presented by this and other research papers have

been effective at transforming the juvenile justice system. States such as Arizona, Connecticut,

Louisiana, Minnesota and Tennessee have changed their state policies to reduce the number of

youths being incarcerated by implementing new alternatives such as therapy for the less violent

juveniles (Hughes & Masozi, 2013). The increased data from various studies supporting the
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negative impact of juvenile incarceration and the negative impact it has on the budgets have

helped to spark changes in policy reducing juvenile detention in the last decade.

Criminal justice research has also had a great impact on policing. Research has played an

even greater part in treating changes in the criminal justice system. As noted by Petersilia (2009)

researchers at the Police Foundation tested the effects of preventive patrol as well as fast

response time. The findings identified that preventive patrols do not necessarily prevent crime

while the response time did not have a positive influence on arrests or locating witness. The

study provided policy managers with the leeway they needed to try experimental patrolling

strategies such as providing the officers with specific proactive assignments rather than random

street patrol.

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has conducted studies which identify that criminal

investigation should not be left to the detectives alone but also involves the use preliminary

investigation of the first responder (Petersilia, 2009). The studies by the NIJ identified that the

information provided by the patrol officers and first responders on the scene contribute greatly to

solving the crime. These studies have influenced the policies of the various police departments

across the country. The research has led to changes in the training of police officers who are not

trained on conducting preliminary investigations more effectively and provide the detectives the

support they need to tackle and close the cases (Petersilia, 2009).

Conclusion

The analysis above identifies that research on criminal justice is at the heart of changes in

the criminal justice system. Research on policing, investigations, prosecutions, sentencing and

corrections has been critical to informing the decision makers on the relevant changes that should

be made to improve the criminal justice system. Criminal justice research has been effective at
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influencing policies not just at the departmental level but at the state and federal level. Accurate

and credible evidence provided by criminal justice research can alter the course of the criminal

justice system and better provide security to the public, serve the victims and effectively tackle

offenders to prevent recidivism.

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References

Holman, B., & Ziedenberg, J. (2006). The dangers of detention. Washington, DC: Justice Policy

Institute, 4.

Hughes, Z. & Masozi, A. (2013). Five States Dramatically Reduce the Number of Youth in

Juvenile Detention Centers. Justicepolicy.org. Retrieved 4 July 2016, from

http://www.justicepolicy.org/news/4952

Kawulich, B. (2009). The Role of Theory in Research. ResearchGate. Retrieved 4 July 2016,

from

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/201834276_The_Role_of_Theory_in_Research

Petersilia, J. (2009). The Influence of Criminal Justice Research. Retrieved from

https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/reports/2009/R3516.pdf

Sherman, L. W. & Berk, R. A. (1984). The specific deterrent effects of arrest for domestic

assault. American Sociological Review, 49(2), 261-272.