Final answer:
Law enforcement officers are responsible for conducting preliminary investigations to ascertain if a crime has occurred and the appropriate jurisdiction. The criminal justice system, including the police, courts, and corrections institutions, is structured to uphold justice with citizens participating as jurors. Supreme Court decisions guide legal processes to protect the rights of the accused and ensure fair trials.
Step-by-step explanation:
Individuals responsible for conducting a preliminary investigation are typically law enforcement officers. The investigation's goals include establishing if a crime has occurred and determining the correct jurisdiction. This is critical because the jurisdiction dictates which court will have authority over the case. Law enforcement agencies operate at multiple levels, including local, state, and federal, each handling different types of criminal activity as defined by the law.
Determining whether a crime has occurred often relies on evidence such as eyewitness identification and testimony. However, as courts and legal experts acknowledge, eyewitness accounts can sometimes be unreliable, leading to potential wrongful convictions. To mitigate such risks, the criminal justice system has structured processes, guided by Supreme Court decisions, to ensure the rights of the accused are protected. Notable processes include brief hearings before a judge, plea entries, and the examination of evidence's admissibility in court.
The criminal justice system is comprehensive, including the police that apprehends suspects, the courts that adjudicate guilt, and corrections institutions that implement sentences. Throughout this system, various checks and balances are designed to maintain justice and ensure transparent legal proceedings where citizens, as jurors, play a vital role in the administration of justice.