Introduction
Crime is continually evolving, thus becoming more complicated, especially due to technological developments. Other factors that have contributed to crime complexity include demographic changes for males below 30 years of age, which is a crime-prone age group, and macro-economic scales that include the unemployment rate, consumers’ spending power and economic stability of the region. These factors revolve around individual’s income generating potential, which is an aspect that draws a line between wealth and poverty. International borders have currently become porous due to intensified trading between regions, travel needs that are driven by various factors, such as immigration (Ritter, 2004). The porosity has given rise to crimes such as illicit smuggling and human trafficking. The internet has become a tool for organized crime where it is being used as a communication platform by individuals from different regions.
Past and current International justice system trends
Federalism reigned in most of the regions in the past and this dictated that the national justice system had to handle any criminal case that could have risen. The atrocities such as genocide have broken the barriers and became a global outcry, which later warranted the formation of the International Criminal Court that is based in Hague. This signifies the need to fight crime as a joint effort thus coming up with international law. Truth and justice commissions have replaced the courts in some countries and their main aim is to bring reconciliation and healing to the communities. In some instances, the courts are unable to settle community differences due to mass involvement thus the commissions come in handy in settling the scores (Predicting Crime, 2007).
Impunity ruled in the past as national authorities were reluctant to react on cases such as extrajudicial killings, crimes against humanity, as well as war crimes. The introduction of International Criminal Court was to remedy the situation and has also given rise to lobby groups such as Amnesty International that campaigns for the creation of international justice system in every country. This ensures that justice is delivered to the victims fairly. Some countries conduct research on domestic issues and their justice is aimed at internal level only. This leaves room for improvement since there are no borrowed lessons from other countries. The presence of international bodies, such as United Nations has prompted for international comparison while conducting research on justice (Ritter, 2004).
Developing trends in international criminal justice
These are the trends expected to take shape in the future, which translates to efforts being done to control and prevent crime.
Global realignment to evolution
In order to fight crime efficiently, there is a need for a global alignment to the revolution by the stakeholders. Currently, crime has shifted from being only physical and has become electronic where technology plays a major role. Technology is being used as a medium in committing crimes, such as fraud and counterfeiting, as well as target offenses, such as virus spreading and stealing telecommunication services. The ease at which computers are being accessed, coupled with the affordability, if one wishes to own one, has seen skilled and unskilled individuals having access to the internet and also services such as printing and scanning. These services can be used in forgery and counterfeiting.
Criminals are finding loopholes in technological systems thus coming up with new techniques of hacking or interfering with them. The crime fighting officials are to embrace technology as well as implement tactics such as the use of microchips for defining identity, surveillance gadgets, DNA analysis and biometrics. Intelligence databases are being developed so as information about crime is shared.
Bilateral cooperation between regions
Bilateral cooperation between regions is seen to be a viable way of improving criminal international justice. For example, the USA agency can work with Indian counterparts to improve justice system and then other countries may be hosted by India and share the insights thus coming up with a well bred system. The result is a joint effort that applies standard crime fighting techniques (Predicting Crime, 2007).
Global adoption of the most effective justice products
Computer systems for court management, prison systems and consultancy are some of the justice products that are being adopted from the regions with perfect and efficient structures. This is working especially with the regions that are developing.
Film industry involvement in the shaping of International justice system
The film industry is playing a great role in shaping the future of international justice system where special programs focusing on law and order are being aired on television. These programs aim at a certain country’s justice systems and when viewed from a different country perspective, some elements such as trial by jury are adopted by the country’s justice system.
Societal responses
Public involvement in policing matters is becoming widespread and this has given rise to units such as civilian police oversight bodies and indigent defense.
Elements of different justice systems that predict future justice trends
In England and Wales, crime prevention remains the central focus and the element of detection rate is largely applied. It has proved to be efficient in prevention and control of crime (Stahn, 2009). In order to classify a crime as detected, the evidence collected must be sufficient and an offender should be identified. A high rate of detection translates to efficiency in crime control and prevention and thus this is one tool that will be used internationally to fight crime in the future. Sentencing comparisons is another element that is geared to improve the international justice system as efforts to come up with unified punitive measures will ensure that justice is applied fairly across the globe. A 2009-2010 survey conducted by NAO, France was leading in imprisonment sentences, while England and Wales were the last. It was the other way round with England and Wales leading in fines sentences, while France took the last position. The reasons for the difference if known can be used in coming up with a concept that can be applied to bring uniformity to the sentencing (Stahn, 2009).The population in prisons, in different countries, can also help in enhancing international justice system. The countries with lower prison population usually apply other punitive measures such as community service in correcting the offenders. The countries with high prison population can adopt such measures in order to improve their justice systems.
Conclusion
International justice system will have to work in line with domestic justice systems since it is from the latter that an enforcement platform will be built on. Empowerment of domestic institutions is crucial to the overall application of justice in every country since the International Criminal Court cannot deal with all justice issues that the country may face. It is by creation and maintenance of a strong bond between all countries that will enable a successful realization of crime prevention and control objective. The information about the future trends of international criminal justice systems should be shared without reservation so that the participating countries may realign themselves prudently in combating crimes.
References
Predicting Crime: The review of Research. (2007). Department of Justice, Canada. Web.
Ritter, N. (2004). Preparing for the Future: Criminal Justice in 2040. National Institute of Justice Journal, 255, 8 to 11.
Stahn, C. (2009). The Future of International Criminal Justice. The Hague Justice Portal. Web.