The U.S. criminal justice system has been described as resembling a funnel being wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. This means there are more suspects and defendants in the justice system than convicted offenders who have passed through the correctional system.

Justice System

The criminal justice system contains a number of steps that begin with the investigation of a crime, and end in the release of a convicted individual from a correctional facility.

Dismissal

As crimes pass through the criminal justice system, a number of cases are dismissed due to a number of causes, including a lack of evidence. Other suspects have cases dropped by entering therapy and counseling to avoid the case being tried in court.

Discretion

The majority of cases in the criminal justice system are investigated, tried or dismissed on the basis of personal choices made by officials who use discretion to decide on individual cases. Police officers decide whether to investigate cases or arrest individuals based on personal choice, while judges and lawyers interpret information to decide on bail applications and plea bargains.

Unreported Cases

A number of crimes go unreported, allowing the suspects to remain free within society and adding to the pool of cases that do not make their way to the final stages of the criminal justice system.

Realistic Assumption

The crime funnel is seen as a realistic interpretation of crime that is not affected by social situations and interactions.

Source:

The Process Of Criminal Justice

Legitimizing Criminal Justice Programs & Policies

Crime Funnel