The Importance of Ethics in Criminal Justice

Published on: October 18, 2023

Criminal justice is a broad field encompassing the entirety of the criminal justice system, which includes law enforcement, the court system and corrections. Given that criminal justice professionals work to outline and address criminal behavior, hold criminals accountable for their actions and protect victims, it's not surprising that many consider this an impactful and rewarding career choice. 

At the heart of the criminal justice field, however, is a set of ethical principles by which professionals must abide to ensure the system is fair, equitable and just. Knowing the importance of ethics in criminal justice is essential for anyone who plans to pursue a career in this dynamic field. 

Examples of Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice 

Many professionals working in the criminal justice system are public servants committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens. While the primary intent of the criminal justice system is to identify, address and halt criminal behavior, it's worth noting that all criminal justice professionals should develop a set of ethical principles to refer to throughout their career.  

The most pressing ethical issues in criminal justice highlight the need for equitable justice that is free from bias or error as much as possible. Within each subset of the criminal justice system, there are different ethical issues to consider.  

Ethics in Law Enforcement 

Law enforcement officers are charged with the responsibility of serving the community and upholding the law. Recognizing their unique role in public life, law enforcement officers worked together to create a code of ethics by which they should all abide. In 1957, the International Association of Chiefs of Police drafted the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, highlighting the ethical principles to which police officers and other law enforcement professionals should adhere.  

The most pressing ethical concerns in the law enforcement field include:  

• The use of force during policing. 
• Profiling as part of policing. 
• Eliminating bias from policing. 
• Adhering to a strict set of ethical standards as part of off-duty life. 

Ethics in Legal Counsel 

Attorneys and legal professionals play a vital role in the criminal justice system, often working to defend those who have been accused as well as advocating for victims of crimes. Lawyers and those in the legal profession also must hold themselves to high ethical standards in order to best serve their clients. 

Some of the most relevant ethical considerations in legal counsel include: 

• Protecting the confidentiality of clients. 
• Conducting oneself as a committed professional, both in personal and professional settings. 
• Remaining neutral to best represent clients in the courtroom.  

Ethics in Citizens 

Of course, citizens play a critical role in the criminal justice field, and they, too, must hold themselves accountable for their actions. Aside from acting as lawful citizens themselves, some ethical considerations for individuals to keep in mind include:  

• Treating law enforcement officers with respect. 
• Advocating for causes within the confines of the law. 
• Remaining willing to share truthful information and report incidents appropriately when necessary.  

How to Uphold Ethics in the Criminal Justice Field

Criminal justice professionals must be able to hold themselves along with their colleagues to a strict set of ethical standards to help reduce corruption in the field. 

These are a few techniques and strategies that can help criminal justice professionals uphold ethical standards in the industry:  

Punish Unethical Behavior 

Law enforcement professionals and those working within the criminal justice system know they have a crucial responsibility to maintain a set of ethical standards, both in their professional and private lives. In certain respects, criminal justice professionals are looked to as examples by which most citizens should live their lives.   

With this in mind, punitive measures are sometimes warranted when they do not conduct themselves in an ethical or morally responsible way. 

Considering law enforcement officers and others in criminal justice are responsible for identifying, prosecuting and correcting criminal behavior, it makes sense that their own mistakes or poor choices should be justly punished. According to the National Institute of Justice, punishing both minor and major infractions within a law enforcement department or criminal justice unit is the best way to set an example and enforce the ethical standards of the organization. 

Require Ethics Trainings 

While a reactive approach can be necessary in order to address an ethical issue within a criminal justice department, it's worth noting that a proactive method of ethics development can be more impactful. In an age where ethics in law enforcement has never been more critical, there are many ethics training programs for professionals to choose from. 

According to Police Chief Magazine, interactive training sessions allowing law enforcement officers and other criminal justice professionals to reinforce and rely on their code of conduct and practice their behavior in complex situations are incredibly effective. Immersive and engaging ethics training programs can highlight the most recent issues in criminal justice and provide professionals with a foundation to build upon in the future. 

Lead by Example 

Leaders in the criminal justice profession can have the most significant impact on their colleagues and peers simply through leading by example. The most ethical leaders in criminal justice are able to: 

• Be as transparent as possible and open about the policies and procedures within the department. 
• Swiftly address any misconduct in a way that is fair and equitable. 
• Hold themselves accountable in the event of wrongdoing. 

When leaders in the criminal justice system prioritize their own behavior and showcase a well-developed set of ethical principles, they are more likely to earn the trust and respect of those who report to them. 

Transparency With Procedures 

Those in the criminal justice field will find that transparency is essential to developing a sense of trust, both within the department itself and the community at large. According to SoundThinking, more than 42 percent of citizens in the United States feel that lack of transparency is an issue within law enforcement and that more criminal justice professionals should prioritize transparency. Practices such as evidence-based policing and public reporting of incidents can help to improve transparency and build trust within the community. 

Encourage Others to Report Unethical Behavior 

When those in the field become aware of a situation that may compromise their code of ethics, it's important the incident is reported as soon as possible through the appropriate channels. By providing those in leadership with detailed information about the incident, law enforcement officers and criminal justice professionals can rest easy knowing they took the necessary steps to reduce unethical behavior in the department. 

Why Ethics Is Important in Criminal Justice  

Ultimately, the criminal justice system can only be fair and effective if all professionals are adhering to a strict code of ethics. Ethics serve as the foundation for the entire system, which focuses on addressing and correcting criminal behavior. Whether you are a prosecuting attorney preparing an expert witness or a law enforcement officer on a routine traffic stop, it's imperative to remain aware of industry ethical standards and take action accordingly. By being transparent, responsible and ethical, you can make a significant difference in the field of criminal justice. 

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