In the criminal justice system, power is used to refer to the states and territories that are assumed by the federal systems with the inclusion of different responsibilities. They are usually related to the social issues that tend to affect the residents of the area. In such matters, there are various fields and areas that possess the powers to make laws. They include parliament or the legislatures in every jurisdiction. Thus, the legislative power which is among those found under the administration of the criminal justice system is found in most states (Marsh, Cochrane & Melville, 2004).
Although the criminal justice system aims at protecting its citizens, sometimes the discretionary powers that it bears are abused. To be able to combat crime it is important to incorporate the input of the citizens, communities, and law enforcement agencies and there are various degrees of power given to varied individuals. It enables them to offer proper regulation and administration through enforcement and investigation.
It is in this sense that this kind of power is related to the three authorities discussed by Max Weber. This is because, similarly to these types of authority, they are found in different categories that are influenced by society. Thus, modern societies have an advanced form of authority since as the societies increase in their level of advancement; they have social structures and institutions, which are more formalized and rational. Although Weber mainly provided different definitions of power and authority, the kind of power found in the criminal justice system is the same as the types of authority he discusses in the sense that they both involve the ability to get things done and are also found in different degrees within varied societies. In this sense, he describes authority as the kind of power for which consent has been given (Marsh, Cochrane & Melville, 2004).
References
Marsh, I., Cochrane, J., & Melville, G. (2004). Criminal Justice: An Introduction to Philosophies, Theories, and Practice. New York: Routledge.