The criminal justice system in the United States was intentionally designed to be fair and free from bias, yet it is not a perfect system, and ethical dilemmas arise on a near-daily basis at every level. Criminal justice professionals must always maintain high ethical standards because ethics in criminal justice is more than just a theoretical concept. Ethical considerations and decisions have real-world consequences for individuals, the community and society as a whole.
Ethical dilemmas arise in every stage of the criminal justice process, from law enforcement to sentencing, which makes it incredibly essential for all criminal justice professionals to uphold justice and promote fairness.
Defining Ethics in Criminal Justice: A Moral Compass
Ethical standards are defined by the National Organization for Human Services as a set of standards and principles designed to guide the actions of professionals in a given industry. In the field of criminal justice, ethical standards and moral principles are necessary to ensure that all professionals work to promote fairness, justice and respect for human dignity.
There are three ethical frameworks that can be applied to the criminal justice field, including:
- Utilitarianism — The process of making decisions while being mindful of the consequences of the actions taken.
- Deontology — This ethical framework refers to the process of making decisions with a moral compass. Within this framework, people attempt to decipher between right and wrong.
- Virtue Ethics — This framework refers to making choices that reflect an individual’s character and the values that they uphold.
Key Ethical Principles in Criminal Justice
The key ethical principles in criminal justice include:
- Honesty — Criminal justice professionals must be honest throughout every level of the criminal justice system to ensure that every individual has a fair and just process.
- Integrity — Upholding personal moral values and professional moral compass allows criminal justice professionals to act with integrity.
- Objectivity — Criminal justice professionals must avoid personal bias and prejudice, and act with impartiality at all times.
- Respect for Due Process — Understanding the process and confines of the criminal justice system allows criminal justice professionals to ensure that all individuals receive the due process that they deserve.
- Avoiding Conflict of Interest — Similar to objectivity, criminal justice professionals must avoid taking certain measures if there is a conflict-of-interest present that could impact their overall judgment.
Why Is the Study of Ethics Important in Criminal Justice?
So, why is the study of ethics important in criminal justice? Beginning an online Master’s in Criminal Justice is about more than studying the law and the parameters of the criminal justice system. Choosing a criminal justice degree program with a strong ethical foundation will allow you to receive the ethical training you need to:
- Enhance Professionalism: Foster a sense of integrity and responsibility among criminal justice professionals.
- Improve Decision-Making: Provide a framework for navigating complex ethical dilemmas and making sound judgments.
- Build Public Trust: Demonstrate a commitment to fairness and justice, which is essential for maintaining public confidence in the system.
- Prevent Misconduct and Abuse: Equip professionals with the tools to recognize and avoid unethical behavior.
- Promote Fair and Just Outcomes: Ensure that all individuals are treated equitably and that the pursuit of justice is not compromised by unethical practices.
Ethical Considerations Across the Criminal Justice System
Per the Bureau of Justice Statistics, there are ethical considerations that must be made throughout every stage of the criminal justice process. These are the standard stages of the criminal justice process:
- Criminal behavior that results in entry into the criminal justice system
- Prosecution
- Adjudication through the court system
- Sentencing
- Corrections
Understanding the stages of the criminal justice system and the ethical dilemmas that may occur can help criminal justice professionals follow their moral compass and enact the ethical standards of the profession.
Law Enforcement Ethics
Law enforcement officers are public servants who often put their own lives on the line to protect the health and safety of their communities. However, most communities are re-evaluating the importance of proper police conduct and ethical law enforcement practices.
The primary ethical issues related to police conduct include:
- Use of Force — There is a fine line between necessary use of force and excessive use of force, and law enforcement officers must act carefully to ensure that they are treating all individuals with respect and upholding their individual rights.
- Racial Profiling — Maintaining impartiality is crucial to enforcing the law, and police officers must actively seek ongoing training to reduce profiling in their local communities. Racial profiling can lead to wrongful or false accusations, which can result in a lifetime of consequences for the affected individual.
- Collecting Evidence — Law enforcement officers must collect evidence properly, fairly and as quickly as possible to preserve the integrity of the case.
- Balancing the Law versus Individual Rights — Upholding the law is the primary responsibility of law enforcement officers, but they must also do so in a way that prioritizes the rights of the individuals they serve.
To maintain ethical standards and improve public trust in policing, law enforcement officers must act with transparency and accountability.
Prosecutorial Ethics
The American Bar Association notes that prosecutors should actively work to do more than convict individuals, and that they should seek justice for those affected by criminal behavior.
The ethical obligations of prosecutors include:
- Disclosing Exculpatory Evidence — Prosecutors must be willing and able to disclose all evidence, including exculpatory evidence that may favor the defendant, to ensure that a fair and objective trial takes place.
- Avoiding Conflicts of Interest — Prosecutors must avoid all conflicts of interest and avoid selecting jury members who they may be familiar with or know outside the courtroom.
- Ensuring Fair Trials — Prosecutors must work to ensure that a fair trial takes place, even if it may impact the outcome of their case.
Prosecutorial misconduct can have a dire impact on the criminal justice system and can compromise the integrity of the entire system. With that said, it’s essential to uphold high ethical standards in this stage of the criminal justice process.
Judicial Ethics
Judges in the United States are obligated to uphold the high ethical standards in place for this branch of the criminal justice system. As the individual overseeing a court case, judges must be able to make ethical decisions guided by their moral compass and their professional standards.
The ethical responsibilities of judges include:
- Objectivity — Judges must remain objective throughout the entire case and actively work to eliminate bias and prejudice from the courtroom.
- Fairness – Judges oversee ensuring that all individuals in the criminal justice system receive a fair trial.
- Avoiding Bias — Judges must be able to put personal feelings aside, and work to ensure that bias does not influence the outcome of a court case.
Given the fact that judges are often appointed by lawmakers, or voted into office by the community, it can be difficult to maintain judicial independence. However, judges must actively work to uphold the law without letting their actions be influenced by their personal or political beliefs.
Correctional Ethics
Ethical standards are absolutely necessary in corrections, when convicted criminals still must be treated with respect and dignity. Lexipol notes that some of the top ethical issues in corrections include:
- The Treatment of Inmates — Convicted criminals who have been sentenced to prison still must be treated with dignity and respect, and their basic needs must be met.
- The Use of Solitary Confinement — While sometimes used to address behavior within a correctional facility, it’s crucial for corrections officers to weigh the risks and benefits of this punishment.
- Reintegration of Offenders – By prioritizing the physical and mental health of inmates, corrections officers can help ensure that convicted criminals can successfully reintegrate into society.
Promoting Ethical Behavior in Criminal Justice
Fostering ethical behavior within the criminal justice system is one of the most important initiatives of our time, as criminal justice professionals work to improve the system as a whole and ensure that all individuals in the system receive fair outcomes.
Education and Training
First and foremost, aspiring criminal justice professionals should pursue an online Master’s in Criminal Justice that offers a strong ethical foundation. Staying informed about criminal justice technology is equally important, as it ensures you are aware of technological advancements while keeping ethics at the forefront. But once you have completed your degree program, you still need to prioritize ongoing ethics training at all levels of your career. Workshops, ethics courses, and simulations can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to make fair and objective decisions.
Ethical Leadership
Criminal justice leaders play a primary role in creating an ethical culture. After earning a graduate degree in criminal justice, you may be able to pursue leadership positions in which you can model ethical behavior and promote accountability within your organization.
Accountability and Oversight
There needs to be a system of checks and balances within every criminal justice organization and across all levels of the criminal justice system. Accountability mechanisms, such as internal investigations, civilian oversight and independent review boards, can help ensure that ethical standards are maintained and misconduct is addressed as quickly and as fairly as possible.
Take an In-Depth Look at Ethics in Criminal Justice at Johnson & Wales University
At Johnson & Wales University, we offer an online Master’s in Criminal Justice that not only provides you with an advanced understanding of criminal justice and criminology, but also allows you to learn more about crime causation, research, ethics, and diversity in criminal justice that will guide you throughout your career.
For more information about completing your degree online, complete the Request Info form, call 855-JWU-1881, or email [email protected].