Courts play a very important role in the justice system. They are part of the judicial system, and they are presided over by judges and magistrates who interpret and determine different types of cases as stipulated by the law. Also, all judicial officers are required to exhibit high levels of integrity, knowledge of the law, and impartiality to enable them to make fair rulings.
In modern times, courts have also been used as institutions were accused of committing various crimes are either proved guilty or innocent. As a result, they are an important part of the criminal justice system because they allow judges to use established laws to administer punishments for crimes committed by various offenders. This paper will discuss court purposes and responsibilities and their relevance in modern justice systems.
Judicial officers work together with police organizations, lawyers, child service organizations, and health experts to uphold the law. A judge uses his or her legal knowledge to decide whether various types of evidence and witnesses brought in by defense and prosecution teams are admissible before the court.
In many criminal cases, a jury panel consisting of people from different backgrounds listens to the proceedings and afterward, makes a verdict that shows if a defendant is guilty or innocent. After the trial hearings have been concluded, members of the jury deliberate and make a collective decision which they present to the court as their verdict.
During their deliberations, members of the jury evaluate the evidence presented before the court to come up with an appropriate verdict (Peak, 2008, p. 72). After receiving the verdict, the judge decides the penalty to be administered about the severity of the crime committed and the criminal history of the defendant.
Courts are respected by all citizens because they are independent institutions which are accountable to the existing constitutional framework. Courts also serve as impartial arbiters to various conflicts by interpreting and making fair rulings as stipulated by the law. In civil suits, courts determine whether a person who has been subjected to physical or emotional pain by another person deserves to be compensated.
Therefore, in many instances, courts may award damages to a victim of a wrongful act to ensure the defendant understands the consequences of his actions. Before awarding any claim, a judge has to use his wisdom to establish the accuracy of the facts presented and how they are related to the existing laws (Peak, 2008, p. 75). As a result, courts are empowered to use the law to defend the weak and defenseless in society.
All judicial officers and other professionals that work in the justice system are required to adhere to codes of conduct which have been set up by the law. This ensures that any judicial matter brought before the court goes through correct procedures to safeguard the rights and dignity of all people involved. A judicial system has to be fair and transparent to gain the trust and confidence of the people it serves (Peak, 2008, p. 79).
Therefore, judges, magistrates, and other professionals in the justice system need to collaborate to attain positive results in their duties. Also, a competent judicial system should be accessible to all people regardless of their social or economic statuses. As a result, this strengthens their beliefs in the rule of law.
Reference
Peak, K.J. (2008). Justice administration: Police, courts, and corrections management. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson