AC 1.3
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Models of Criminal Justice
There are two key models used to describe how justice should be delivered in the UK:
🚨 The Crime Control Model
Focus: Catching and convicting criminals quickly and efficiently
Main goal: Reduce crime and deliver justice for victims, not suspects.
This model treats suspects like they are on a conveyor belt – moving fast through the system
to reach a conviction. It supports giving the police more power, using zero tolerance tactics,
and punishing offenders as a deterrent.
🧠 Key Theories that Support This Model:
Right Realism: A theory that says people choose to commit crime, so harsh
punishments and strong police powers are needed. Supports zero tolerance policing.
Functionalism (by Émile Durkheim): Believes crime is necessary for society, as
punishment helps reinforce shared values and create unity. Focuses on expressing
moral outrage and deterring future crime.
🔹 Criticism: This model doesn’t deal with the causes of crime, only punishing it.
📜 Laws and Cases Supporting the Crime Control Model:
Bad Character Evidence: Allows courts to hear about a defendant's past crimes before
a verdict.
Double Jeopardy Law Abolished (2003): In serious cases like murder, a person can be
tried again if new evidence comes up (e.g., Stephen Lawrence case).
Extended Pre-Charge Detention: Terror suspects can be held for 96 hours before being
charged.
Juryless Trials in Magistrates' Courts: These courts are considered more likely to
convict than juries.
Police, Crime and Sentencing Act 2022 – Harper’s Law: Mandatory life sentence for
anyone convicted of killing an emergency worker.
Colin Stagg Case: Wrongly targeted by police using entrapment tactics without solid
evidence. He was later found innocent and awarded compensation.
🧑⚖️
The Due Process Model
Focus: Protecting the rights of individuals, especially suspects
Main goal: Ensure fairness, equality, and prevent wrongful convictions
⚖️
Models of Criminal Justice
There are two key models used to describe how justice should be delivered in the UK:
🚨 The Crime Control Model
Focus: Catching and convicting criminals quickly and efficiently
Main goal: Reduce crime and deliver justice for victims, not suspects.
This model treats suspects like they are on a conveyor belt – moving fast through the system
to reach a conviction. It supports giving the police more power, using zero tolerance tactics,
and punishing offenders as a deterrent.
🧠 Key Theories that Support This Model:
Right Realism: A theory that says people choose to commit crime, so harsh
punishments and strong police powers are needed. Supports zero tolerance policing.
Functionalism (by Émile Durkheim): Believes crime is necessary for society, as
punishment helps reinforce shared values and create unity. Focuses on expressing
moral outrage and deterring future crime.
🔹 Criticism: This model doesn’t deal with the causes of crime, only punishing it.
📜 Laws and Cases Supporting the Crime Control Model:
Bad Character Evidence: Allows courts to hear about a defendant's past crimes before
a verdict.
Double Jeopardy Law Abolished (2003): In serious cases like murder, a person can be
tried again if new evidence comes up (e.g., Stephen Lawrence case).
Extended Pre-Charge Detention: Terror suspects can be held for 96 hours before being
charged.
Juryless Trials in Magistrates' Courts: These courts are considered more likely to
convict than juries.
Police, Crime and Sentencing Act 2022 – Harper’s Law: Mandatory life sentence for
anyone convicted of killing an emergency worker.
Colin Stagg Case: Wrongly targeted by police using entrapment tactics without solid
evidence. He was later found innocent and awarded compensation.
🧑⚖️
The Due Process Model
Focus: Protecting the rights of individuals, especially suspects
Main goal: Ensure fairness, equality, and prevent wrongful convictions
