Politics of Criminal Justice; Criminal justice decision makers are selected through election or appointment, the selection process is political. he political process profoundly influences the U.S. Supreme Court. The most important way that the democratic political system shapes criminal justice is through the lawmaking process. These laws mandate longer sentences and fewer opportunities for parole. The severe sentencing laws came about through whim and attempts by politicians to one‐up each other as drugs seized media headlines just before elections.
The political culture of a community determines the style of law enforcement and the nature of departmental policy. Politics permeates police departments in cities that employ a mayor/council type of government. By contrast, a professional city manager makes political intervention into policing less likely. Political considerations influence prosecutors in a direct way. Prosecutors are elected in most states and are heavily involved in local politics. Both state and federal prosecutors often use their office as a springboard for higher political office. An unscrupulous prosecutor will abuse power in the worst way. Acting on the basis of political motives, the prosecutor will engage in political prosecutions by pressing criminal charges against political enemies.
Judges experience tremendous political pressure and are faced with the decision of whether or not to impose the death penalty on individuals. It is not a coincidence that elected judges impose the death penalty at higher rates than appointed judges. Refusing to impose the death penalty makes a judge vulnerable to attacks from political opponents who may use the judge’s decision against him or her at the next judicial retention election.
Corrections officials also take political considerations into account. Politics can drive a parole board’s release decisions. Parole board members are susceptible to influence from the governors who appoint them. Members almost inevitably make release decisions cautiously. If parolees commit crimes, the media, the governor’s political rivals, or both may blame the governor. APA