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Texas Criminal Justice
The Texas Government credentials document competencies including overall knowledge of the Texas government, policy, and politics. Though many of these positions require appropriate education at various levels and numerous types of training, a fundamental understanding of Texas government supports many aspects of the daily task and strategic decision-making. Specifically, this badge demonstrates the earner's ability to describe the Texas criminal justice system including the statistical profile of criminals and victims, the criminal prosecution process, the views about capital punishment, the Texas corrections system, and the process for making criminal justice policy.
Criminal Justice Injustice

In the summer of 2011, many Americans were caught up in the Casey Anthony trial. Caylee Anthony was last seen in June 2008. Many were skeptical of the story her mother, Casey Anthony, told the police. Many more thought Anthony's partying behavior while her child was missing was damning evidence of guilt. Crowds outside the courthouse shouted, "Justice for Caylee!" Television stations aired the trial live, while others played bits of video on the evening news. The entire nation waited for the verdict, many believing there was no doubt of a guilty verdict. But the verdict read "not guilty." How could this be? The prosecution failed to prove its case beyond any reasonable doubt. Allegations were made that evidence was mishandled and that the case relied a great deal on forensics. After the remains were exposed to the elements, little forensic evidence remained. The police had only the bones of a child and remnants of duct tape. The forensic evidence could not conclusively prove that Anthony killed her child.

This case demonstrates that a jury cannot return a verdict based on public opinion, media pressure, or even personal instincts. Members of a jury must base the verdict on the evidence presented. People are not infallible, and mistakes are made. Evidence can be mishandled, misinterpreted, or misplaced. Nature's elements can take their toll on evidence. Although no signs of incompetence or misconduct were found, due to sensationalism, the Casey Anthony case brought the behind-the-scenes actions of the criminal justice system to the attention of the American public.

This resource provides instruction for users to:

  • Define terms related to criminal justice injustice
  • Discuss inadvertent injustice within the criminal justice system
  • Describe deliberate victimization within the criminal justice system
  • Identify sources of injustice by the police
  • Examine possible solutions for police injustice
Criminal Justice Injustice
Credentials in Victimology signify earners' understanding of issues related to victims and the offender-victim relationships whether the violence occurs in the home, in the community, or as a result of personal assault, abuse, or neglect. Any professional working in the criminal justice arena or in victim services, including juvenile justice and social services must understand the different types of violence and the relationships between the victim and the offender. They must understand the relevant data and situations in which victimization occurs as well as the interactions between victims and the criminal justice system. Finally, they must understand the social influences and environments of victims of various crimes. Knowledge of victimology allows for the establishment and implementation of best practices that lead to the effective services for victims and crime prevention. These professionals may work directly with victims, or work indirectly by researching or investigating crimes that create. Specifically, this badge demonstrates the earner's ability to explain victimization related to policing, the justice system, politics, legislation, legal practices, and the correctional system.