Final answer:
It is true that the courts are one of the three main components of the criminal justice system that decide the appropriate punishments for crimes, along with determining guilt or innocence.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, one of the three main components of the criminal justice system is the courts, which do indeed decide the appropriate punishments for crimes. The criminal justice system is comprised of three main parts: the police, who identify and apprehend those considered to be criminals; the courts, who determine the guilt or innocence of the accused and hand down sentences; and the corrections institutions, like prisons, that enforce the penalties as prescribed by the courts.
In criminal cases within the United States, the jury typically is tasked with determining the defendant's guilt, while the judge is responsible for setting the penalty. In some cases, the jury may also have a role in deciding the punishment. The sentenced individual or the prosecution may appeal the decision to higher courts if they believe a legal error has been made during the trial.