Because decision making and _____ mark each stage of the system, the criminal justice process serves as a _____ through which a great majority of cases are screened out before trial.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The term "discretion" refers to the ability of criminal justice officials to make decisions based on their judgment and experience. Each stage of the criminal justice system involves discretionary decision making, such as the decision to arrest, charge, prosecute, plea bargain, or sentence. As a result of this discretion, a large number of cases are filtered or funneled out of the system before trial. The metaphor of a funnel implies that the number of cases decreases as they move through the system, with only a fraction of cases reaching trial.

Because Decision Making and _____ Mark Each Stage of the System