The Multi-Level Structure of the US Criminal Justice System
The criminal justice system in the United States is a complex system that combines several levels. The federal level is subdivided into state and local levels, which, in turn, have a different ability to respond to crime. Since the federal level has common goals for all Americans, it establishes rules and procedures for all states and local governments (Rappaport, 2020). However, state and local levels have more freedom to decide how these rules will be applied locally.
The state and local levels have some influence on the application of federal rules and procedures at street level. For example, the passage of a federal law on crimes against justice could give states and local governments the flexibility to understand how to enforce rules and procedures at street level (Fleming, 2020). For example, a state may enact a crime against justice law that allows local governments to use these rules to curb crime in their communities.
The federal level can also provide support to states and local governments in implementing street level rules and procedures. For example, the federal government may provide financial support to state and local governments to fund crime prevention or control programs (Lopez & Tadi, 2021). The Federal Government may also provide training, educational programs, and technical support to states and local governments to help implement street level rules and procedures.
In general, the federal, state, and local levels of the criminal justice system interact with each other to enforce rules and procedures at the street level. The federal level establishes general rules and procedures, and the state and local levels support their application through laws and programs. The federal government provides support to state and local governments in the form of funding and technical support. In general, these three levels of the criminal justice system interact to achieve the common goal of applying rules and procedures at the street level.
References
Fleming, C. J. (2020). Prosocial Rule-Breaking at the Street Level: The Roles of Leaders, Peers, and Bureaucracy. Public Management Review, 22(8), 1191-1216.
Lopez, M. J., & Tadi, P. (2021). Drug enforcement administration drug scheduling. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.
Rappaport, J. (2020). Some Doubts About” Democratizing” Criminal Justice. The University of Chicago Law Review, 87(3), 711-814.