Criminal Justice

All values and realities are experienced or learned. The construction of values and individual perspectives are often socially constructed, that is the various social institutions in operation affirm and reaffirm ideologies, values, and realities they choose to maintain. This can be in terms of tradition and religion, such as the work ethos of the Protestant tradition, or it can be in terms of other institutions with more specific and exclusionary purposes. For example, the criminal justice system adheres to racial profiling as a means of efficient resource distribution. Targeting young African American males in this manner may be statistically valid in sheer terms of economics, but it also fosters a perception among the mainstream public that all young African American males have criminal intent. Such policies are limited and may cause more harm to innocent young African American males than good to the public. However, in modern society the social construction of values and perceptions is difficult to undermine. Legal, religious, political, educational, the media and other institutions foster and reinforce values and perceptions. As such, with respect to crime our impressions and values are often heavily influenced by these institutions. We can see this concept in operation if we look at the recent arrest of actor Robert Blake for the alleged murder of his wife, Bonny Blake-Bakely.

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e rich and famous have been treated “differently” by the criminal justice system, politicians, and the media. From outright cover-ups to travesties of justice like the O.J. Simpson trial, the rich and famous often get perks from the system common individuals do not. Police have gathered evidence and investigated the case for more than a year before actually charging Blake. His home and those suspected to be involved was only recently searched. He is in a separate holding area away from other criminals and suspects in jail. Further, the actions of Bernard Parks after the announcement of Blake’s arrest caused suspicion, “Los Angeles’ beleaguered police chief Bernard Parks immediately called an unusual 9 pm press conference, sparking charges from Blake’s supporters that the much-publicized arrest had political overtones” (US 1). Perhaps Parks is trying to convince the police commission he is not soft on crime or blind to the sins of the rich and famous. Either way, we can see how politics, the media, and the criminal justice system combine to have a powerful influence on our perceptions of crime. Essay Two Serial killing, media-oriented terrorism, and copycat crime are all associated with the social construction and framing
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1954
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page)