The first stages of the American judicial system’s development were associated with the creation of institutions that regulate it, for example, courts and prisons. During this period, the primary documents regulating justice in the country were developed. One of the most significant events of this time was the reform that took place in the mid-1700s, accelerated by the American Revolution (Cole, 2016). It helped establish a justice system that protected citizens and their rights.
The process of forming the judicial system continued in the 19th century and was closely linked to emerging individualism. The government paid great attention to the human behavior and personal characteristics of citizens. America actively created police organizations to ensure security for the inhabitants. It is possible to say that it was the beginning of the judicial system, which is being applied with minor changes even now (Pollock, 2017). It is also important to note the reduction in the number and severity of punishments. Many states have abolished public executions or limited the range of crimes that they punish. Undoubtedly, this is an essential step for the development of a system that significantly affects society.
In the twentieth century, the government paid attention to other issues, for example, related to the illegal sale of alcohol. One of the laws established during this period is a prohibition of the illicit manufacturing and sale of alcoholic beverages; unfortunately, this only attracted attention to them. In addition, the number of crimes raised during this period, so the government increased funding for the criminal system (Adler, 2015). With the advent of digital technology in the late 20th century, the interest and awareness of people in this matter have increased. As a consequence, their level of anxiety became higher. However, having a long experience and a large number of opportunities allowed the authorities to keep the situation under control.
References
Adler, J. S. (2015). Less crime, more punishment: Violence, race, and criminal justice in early twentieth-century America. Journal of American History, 102(1), 34-46.
Cole, G. F. (2016). Criminal justice in America. Cengage Learning.
Pollock, J. (2017). Crime and criminal justice in America. Taylor & Francis.