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Lack Of Rights In The Criminal Justice System

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Until the mid-1700s, crime was suspected to be caused by evil spirits, magic, sin and or weak moral character. These causations of crime are not based on scientific evidence, more so, conjecture or illogical belief. These reasons could not be proved, thus evidence was lacking, but sentencing was already bestowed. It was not until Classical and Neoclassical theorists came on the scene, did we see more valid, provable arguments for criminal behaviors.
Classical theorists believed that crime was a matter of free choice and that criminals should have rights in the criminal justice system (Fagin, 27). In other words, the individual commits a crime because of their belief of gaining something through that crime. In addition, those adults and children, alike, who are mentally incapable, are too responsible by free choice. …show more content…

That does not mean that they should be left to roam the world and commit crimes. I believe those individuals need proper, around the clock help from family members or psychiatric wards. However, I do believe that individuals are created, or wired to have freedom of choice. We are each responsible for our actions and we have to live with the consequences there after.
These theories paved the way for more modern theories that focus on biology, psychology and sociology. When Classical theorist began using scientific method to uncover the motive behind crimes, they opened the door for widening the view of criminology. Now, criminologists have various avenues of information to understand why criminals commit the crimes they do and it how to prevent them from happening

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