Criminal Procedures

Criminal Procedures

Introduction

In US political tradition, the Declaration of Independence articulates the basic ideas that form US nation, and is the founding document. These ideas include all men are created equal and free and have similar natural rights and inherent. This essay discusses why all criminal justice professionals must aware about preparation and adoption of the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution.

Discussion

The Declaration of Independence is a political document rather than a legal document. Conversely, there are quite a few principles that reflect in US laws, which are adopted later by US congress and the Continental Congress. The “reasonableness” principle and “Natural law” are part of the Declaration of Independence (Becker, 1942). Since, these principles are universally understood that all individuals have equal rights; thus, criminal justice professional should respect that. Nonetheless, populace should act in a reasonable manner when exercising their rights.

The renowned preamble has an outline of particular rights that are unalienable such as right of pursuit of happiness, liberty and life. Therefore, criminal justice professionals should consider these rights with respect to the suspect or offender, and to victims. It is the responsibility of government to protect citizens without defying citizens' rights (Middlekauff, 2007).

Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence who concluded legal thought from his education of evolution, which had started in Britain and America with the English Declaration of Rights, during 1689 (Middlekauff, 2007). Jefferson's phrases and ideas from George Mason's draft of the Virginia Declaration of Rights and Constitution of Virginia appear in the Declaration of Independence.

The first “Constitution,” the articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union appeared to be inadequate to run the country. Repeatedly, money was the reason behind the amendment of Confederation articles that have changed the entire document. The states were fined ...