Final answer:
To avoid inconsistent and arbitrary legal decisions by lords, kings created centralized legal systems, like the Magna Carta, and established standardized legal codes and courts, evolving the criminal justice system over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The king created various systems and reforms to avoid inconsistency and arbitrary decisions by the lords when crimes were committed. Over time, centralized legal codes and courts were established to ensure uniform justice. One such reform was the Magna Carta, signed in 1215, which introduced principles of due process. Later, legal reforms during the colonial era and the early 19th century further standardized legal processes, reduced the number of capital offenses, and established penal colonies for minor offenders.
In ancient empires, like the Roman and Chinese empires, centrally-appointed magistrates and standardized legal codes were established to maintain order and provide consistent administration of justice. The criminal justice system continued to evolve with the aim of reducing the influence of personal bias or the power of local lords over legal outcomes.