Ethics are at the heart of a functional society and its institutions, including its criminal justice system. Ethics are the moral philosophy that guide a sense of right and wrong, leading individuals, organizations and society as a whole to define certain actions, behaviors and decisions as appropriate and just or not just. 

Ethics in criminal justice are particularly important because those who work in this field are public servants who are charged with serving all, not just some, and must enforce laws equally without respect to differences in background, race, religion, socioeconomic status or other factors.

Ethical issues can be complex because they are matters of judgment, although professional judgment is guided by established standards. For the criminal justice system to work as intended, every individual and organization that is part of it must consistently make ethical decisions and respond accordingly.

The importance of ethics in law enforcement, courts and corrections cannot be overstated. Ethics establish rules for and standards of conduct that criminal justice professionals are expected to uphold in order to maintain a peaceful society and seek justice.

According to the Policing Code of Ethics established by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the role of law enforcement is to:^{(See disclaimer 1)}

• Serve the community
• Protect lives
• Protect property
• Uphold the U.S. Constitution
• Fully obey all laws
• Never use unnecessary force
• Uphold the rights of everyone to life, liberty, equality and justice

The Policing Code of Ethics goes on to remind law enforcement officials that they must never respond in a way that is influenced by bias,^{(See disclaimer 1)} as this leads to unjust decisions and corrupt actions that undermine the framework of ethics in the criminal justice system.

While law enforcement is perhaps one of the most visible elements of the criminal justice system in society, it is by no means the only one. Professional ethics and integrity are equally important for the courts and the corrections systems. What do ethics mean for all criminal justice functions and organizations?

Making ethical decisions and behaving in appropriate ways means that:

• Professionals who hold significant power over others do not abuse that power.
• Victims can achieve justice.
• Society is governed by laws, while law enforcement officers have a duty to uphold and enforce the law while conducting themselves with integrity, fairness and respect for individual rights.

Upholding the law requires more than enforcement; it requires ethical judgment. Law enforcement officers must balance legal authority with moral responsibility, using discretion to ensure that enforcement actions are lawful, proportional and respectful of human dignity.

Criminal justice professionals face many ethical dilemmas in criminal justice every day. These dilemmas can concern issues as diverse as conflicts of interest, confidentiality and due process. For example, attorneys must respect the right to confidentiality of their clients, and law enforcement officers and prosecutors must uphold the right of due process. As an ethical responsibility, all criminal justice professionals must disclose actual and potential conflicts of interest and recuse themselves when appropriate.

Criminal justice ethics are particularly important throughout law enforcement organizations, as police officers wield extraordinary authority over everyday citizens. Law enforcement officers are expected to engage in appropriate ethics whether they are on or off duty. 

Law enforcement officers are required to:^{(See disclaimer 1)}

• Refuse to solicit or accept gratuities, gifts, bribes or anything else of value
• Refuse to participate in or condone any acts of corruption
• Avoid using the badge for personal gain
• Obey the U.S. Constitution and all laws at all times
• Respect the constitutional and other legal rights of all people

Ethical conduct in law enforcement organizations and their police officers can help build community relationships and public trust while safeguarding the community and protecting the rights of all.

All criminal justice professionals who work within the court system must exercise ethical professional judgment to ensure that the rights of both the accused and the victims are upheld. The prosecution — the attorneys serving the public interest who prosecute suspected criminals — must uphold the Criminal Justice Standards for the Prosecution Function established by the American Bar Association (ABA). These standards state that prosecutors must “exercise sound discretion and independent judgment… to seek justice within the bounds of the law, not merely to convict.”^{(See disclaimer 3)}

In other words, prosecutors have a duty to seek criminal charges only when appropriate, keeping in mind the constitutional and legal rights of all involved parties, as well as the best interests of both victims and witnesses. Prosecutors also have a moral duty to reform the criminal justice system when necessary to serve the public.^{(See disclaimer 3)}

Similarly, criminal defense attorneys have an ethical obligation to uphold high standards of moral conduct. The Criminal Justice Standards for the Defense Function established by the ABA state that defense attorneys are responsible for protecting the constitutional and legal rights of their clients, acting with integrity when representing clients, advocating for their clients within the bounds of the law and informing their clients of alternatives to prosecution or conviction whenever they are available.^{(See disclaimer 4)}

Civic participation is essential for a healthy and flourishing democracy. Through civic participation, members of society can let their voices be heard, contribute to the processes that strengthen their communities and proactively participate in decision-making that impacts the community they live in and protect.^{(See disclaimer 5)}

When you think of civic engagement, you may think of voting during elections. While voting is an important part of being an engaged citizen, it's not the only one. Civic participation also extends to public discourse, enhancing transparency and holding the local, state and federal government accountable.^{(See disclaimer 5)}

Some examples of civic actions that demand strong ethical decisions include:

• Serving on a jury in a conscientious way, such as by paying careful attention to the proceedings and determining the verdict in an unbiased way in accordance with the laws and the evidence
• Stepping forward with factual information that can help law enforcement officers solve crimes
• Reporting crimes or suspected crimes when suspicious activity is witnessed, but avoiding making false allegations based on preconceived or implicit biases

Grand Canyon University offers a faith-integrated curriculum that is designed to prepare our graduates to lead with integrity, treat all others with respect, make morally appropriate decisions and act as servant leaders who have a positive impact on their communities.

Begin your academic career at GCU with the Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies degree program, which examines ethical principles for public servants, along with the fundamentals of the police and adjudication functions. Continue your studies with the Master of Science in Criminal Justice with an Emphasis in Law Enforcement degree or the Master of Science in Criminal Justice with an Emphasis in Legal Studies degree. Both of these offer an in-depth look at advanced competencies in their respective emphasis areas.