Police

Abstract

The police are the first point of contact in the criminal justice system. At this stage of the judicial process the maximum amount of discretion is available. On contact with criminal suspects the police are required to make a decision about whether or not to proceed with a charge. This process is carried out with fewer formal safeguards. The lower court system is called either Petty Sessions or Magistrates’ Courts. Until fairly recently it was called the Police Court. Because police officers were so conspicuous it is not surprising that the impression was gained that the courts were run for the police.