Executive summary
In almost all forms of crimes, the victims have been found to besuffering from many criminal acts that in one way or the other. Inother instances, it has been found that victims of a crime suffersecondary victimization and the justice system contributes to thevictimization of the criminal victims. This is in terms of vacating,losing property and losing wages because their places or residence isno longer safe after the crime has been committed. This paper,therefore, explores the roles the prosecutor, victim and attorney,and their roles in the victimization in a criminal system.
Defense attorney
The defense attorney is an attorney who is available for hire by thedefendant so that they can present them in a case in the court. Inorder to do this, defense attorney needs to get clear informationabout the case by interviewing the defendant in close details.Moreover, the defense attorney gets more information from thewitnesses and hence gives advice to the defendant on the best way tohandle the case (Andrews et al., 2015). They support theoffender as well as protect the client against the government but ofcourse within the law. Another role is being the officer of the courtso that the information delivered is true and that some confidentialinformation is disclosed.
The prosecutor
The prosecutor presents the case to the court against the person whohas been accused of breaking the law. They represent the victim or astate (if the state is accusing someone) in an effort to ensure thatjustice prevails and the people, state as well as their property areprotected. The defense has the responsibility to prove that theirclient was innocence and did not commit the crime. Under normalcircumstances, the prosecutor develops a case while working incollaboration with the attorney, to get a sensible case against thedefendant. The evidence that they collect is all about the victim whois based on rigorous criminal investigations, medical examinations,reports from the victim and making a proper identification of thedefendant. This can portray that the victim is making up stories andnot tell the truth (Henning, 2013).
The prosecutor has a responsibility to prove beyond a reasonabledoubt that all evidence points towards the defendant. During thisprocess, the victim has two options either to sit down and listen tothe case or make a testimony in the courtroom. Therefore theprosecutor and the defense attorney are in the courtroom fighting forthe interest of their clients. The defense and the prosecution havetheir individual roles towards the victim in a case. This means thateach of the parties in a case has can make a contribution towardsvictimization. The prosecutor, therefore, needs to convince the courtthat the evidence that has been collected is enough to make thedefendant to be found guilty of the crime that they are alleged tohave committed. Moreover, they have the powers to drop or lower thecharges against an offense in a case.
Criminal
This is the person who has been accused of committing a criminaloffense and is represented in the courtroom by the defense attorney.The role of the criminal is to do act that is considered s breakingthe law such as stealing or murder in order to cause emotional orphysical harm.
Victim
A victim is an individual who has suffered from indulgence in illegalactivities of crime and is represented by the prosecutor. They victimprovides their case to the jury so that they feel closure andconvince him or her to give a tougher sentence to the victim.
Effects of victimization
Victimization may affect the prosecutor because he or she has anotherseparate role of assisting the victim in preparing documents whichare read when a sentence is being given. This is because in mostinstances the victims would wish their voices to be heard while ajudgment is being made (Walklate et al., 2013). The defenseattorney is affected by victimization because although they are thereto defend the client, the damages or harm that the client caused canmake it hard for the defense attorney in the courtroom. Moreover, theeffects of victimization to the defense attorney are due to the factthat the rights of the victim have strict rules which can limit whathe or she is able to deliver during a case.
The effects of victimization to a criminal are evident when a jury isfilled with emotions and ends up giving a very harsh sentence. Thevictim law, therefore, makes many victims unsafe because it achievesa different outcome than it is unintended to achieve.
Goal of sentencing
Sentencing is aimed at giving a punishment to the criminal for thecrimes committed so that the victim receives justice.
Goal of alternative sanctions
They provide a different form of punishment which is less harsh ascompared to being put in prison such supervised probation. This,therefore, ensures that the problems that led the criminal/ offenderinto being in prison are not ignored, and hence they live a regularlife.
Victims` rights
All the people need to be taught concerning the victims` rights so asto avoid criminal offenses. This education can be done through theinternet and radios to reach very many people.
Conclusion
The roles of prosecutors, defense attorney, criminal and victim havebeen discussed in details. It is therefore upon the people to ensurethat they keep of criminal activities to avoid the tough experienceof prison sentences.
References
Andrews, S. J., Lamb, M. E., & Lyon, T. D. (2015). Questiontypes, responsiveness and self‐contradictionswhen prosecutors and defense attorneys question alleged victims ofchild sexual abuse. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 29(2),253-261.
Henning, K. N. (2013). Criminalizing normal adolescent behavior incommunities of color: The role of prosecutors in juvenile justicereform. Cornell Law Review, 98, 383-462.
Walklate, S. L. (2013). Gender, crime and criminal justice.Routledge.
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