CRJ 330: Comparative Criminal Justice

Week 3 Discussion Question

Respond to the following:

Select one of the model countries from the text.

· Compare and contrast two strengths and two weaknesses of its justice system against that of the United States’ justice system.

· Suggest one change to each country’s justice system that might improve on the weaknesses that you noted. Provide a rationale for your response.

Student Response:

Komal Salim

RE: Week 3 Discussion Attachment

The United States uses the common law, whereas Germany uses the civil law on a federal

republic system level. One strength is that Germany distributes their power similar to the United

States on a federal and state government level. The governmental power is centralized rather than being divided between states and a central government. Their government is very similar to the United States having the three branches of government. The head of state is the President that is elected for a maximum of two five-year terms unlike the US which is two four-year terms. The voters in the election for President are known collectively as the Federal Convention, which consists of all members of the Bundestag and an equal number of members nominated by the state legislatures (Dammer and Albanese, 2014, p.78). The head of the government is the chancellor whom is equivalent to the British Prime Minister. Another strength is that the crime rate has dropped just like in the United States since the mid 1990’s. Even though “drug related offenses have remained a serious problem in both countries” (Dammer and Albanese, 2014, p.81).

One weakness is that the chancellor cannot be dismissed by a vote of no confidence. This is

similar to the president in the United States being impeached which has been done in the past.

The country can be more vulnerable if this happens since there is no one making important and

concrete decisions about issues that need to be addressed. Another weakness was being “unable to deal effectively with radical opposition because it was difficult to settle disputes and establish parameters of power between the state and federal governments and between the government and the people” (Dammer and Albanese, 2014, p.78). This was part of the basic law that was enacted in May 1949 that has certain similarities to the U.S. Constitution. Germans had specific rights just like Americans did.One change that could be applied is that the chancellor could be dismissed and the president could not be impeached if one is doing a bad job on protecting the citizens of their country or making bad decisions. He or she was put into office for a reason and should be able to carry out their term.