Define the term “Criminal Justice System’.

Criminal Justice system is an institution which comprises of police, the Public Prosecutor, the defence lawyer and the judge who tries to conduct an investigation, legal proceedings and solve the case in any way possible. These four players play important roles which are as follows:

• Police – Police plays an important role in the investigation process. He has to work in accordance with the law and Human Rights and have to record statements of witnesses and various evidences related to the case. If he considers that the accused is guilty of the crime then accordingly he has to file a charge sheet in the court. They are not allowed to torture, beat or shoot anyone during the investigation and cannot impose any form of punishment on the prisoner, not even for petty offences.

• Public Prosecutor – The prosecutor is the individual who completes the further process on behalf of the state after the investigation is done by the police. Prosecutor has no role to play during the investigation process. It is the duty of the prosecutor to provide full and material facts, witnesses and evidence in the court and act impartially so that the court would be able to solve the case. He conducts the legal process and represents the interests of the state.

• The defence lawyer- The defence lawyer is the individual being provided by the state to the accused individual due to his/her disability to hire a lawyer. As a lawyer, it is his responsibility to collect all the evidence and witnesses in favour of his client who is accused of the crime regardless of his other acts or offences. The defence lawyer should examine all the witnesses presented by the prosecution and try to make a settlement or plea or negotiate in order to get the freedom of his client in any way possible.

• Judge – The judge has to make an impartial decision in an open court. It is his responsibility to listen to all the evidence and witnesses presented by the prosecution and the defence in the court. After hearing all the evidence and in accordance with the law, the judge makes a fair judgement and decides whether the person is guilty or innocent.