A comparative analysis of criminal justice processes in South Africa and the United States

Abstract

As a restut of British colonization and their attempts to govern a variety of different cultures many nations now share a common bond in their criminal justice systems. This research focuses on the impact of some of those common bonds on the South African and United States criminal justice systems. Along with many national historical similarities there appears to be similarities in the approaches these two governments have taken to remedy criminal justice issues that arise. Political interference, lack of cooperation, poor communication skills, interagency discord and a lack of unified direction seem to plague both criminal justice systems. As a resulc both criminal justice systems appear: to be fragmented and in a constant state of flux. One solution that attempts to remedy the mistrust developed by individual citizens and their communities as a result of the fragmentation of their criminal justice system is community policing. Both nations are embarking on a concept that was proposed by Sir Robert Peel in 1829 when he espoused the ideal of Police, at all times, should maintain a relasionship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and the public are the police. The fragmentation which causes many of the dilemmas faced by the criminal justice system appears to be a necessary element of any system that wishes to be able to grow and change with time. As we embark on the 21st century, globalization w1ll become a factor in every surviving national goverernment. South Africa and the United States appear co be positioning themselves to be active patcipants in this process