NCJ Number
32003
Journal
REVUE INTERNATIONALE DE CRIMINOLOGIE ET DO POLICE TECHNIQUE Volume: 27 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY-MARCH 1974) Pages: 5-14
Date Published
1974
Length
10 pages
Annotation
DISCUSSION OF THE CURRENT SITUATION OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN FRANCE AND OF POLICIES TO BE FOLLOWED IN TRYING TO IMPROVE IT.
Abstract
BETWEEN 1963 AND 1972, THE NUMBER OF OFFENSES REPORTED TO THE POLICE INCREASED AT A RATE OF OVER 15 PERCENT A YEAR. THIS HAS LED TO A GENERAL HARDENING OF THE PUBLIC'S ATTITUDE TOWARD CRIME AND CRIMINALS, AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE AUTHORITIES MUST TAKE THIS ATTITUDE INTO CONSIDERATION. NEVERTHELESS, THE AUTHOR SAYS, IT MUST BE ADMITTED THAT IT IS PRESENT-DAY SOCIETY, WITH ITS EXTREME URBANIZATION, CONGESTION AND ANONYMITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL AND ITS CULT OF INDIVIDUAL SUCCESS NO MATTER AT WHOSE EXPENSE, THAT CORRUPTS PEOPLE AND PRODUCES CRIME. THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM SHOULD SEEK TO MAKE ITSELF BETTER ACQUAINTED WITH THE INDIVIDUAL OFFENDER IN ORDER TO FIT THE PUNISHMENT TO HIM BETTER, BOTH WITH A VIEW TO THE PROTECTION OF SOCIETY AND TO HIS RESOCIALIZATION. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE SYSTEM NEEDS TO DEAL MORE SEVERELY WITH HABITUAL, PROFESSIONAL CRIMINALS. THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM SHOULD ALSO BE MADE MORE EFFICIENT BY RELIEVING JUDGES OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR CASES INVOLVING CERTAIN MINOR OFFINSES AND BY SIMPLIFYING AND ACCELERATING PROCEDURE. --IN FRENCH