The United States criminal justice system is composed of three main branches: law enforcement, the court system, and corrections. Each branch has its own responsibilities, with the goal of maintaining law and order in society. Despite their similarities, there are some differences between each branch that can affect the overall operation of the justice system.

Law enforcement is the branch of the criminal justice system that is responsible for enforcing laws and apprehending people who have committed crimes. This includes local police departments, state police forces, and federal agencies such as the FBI. The court system is responsible for hearing and deciding on criminal cases. This includes district and circuit courts, as well as the Supreme Court. Corrections is the system of jails, prisons, and other correctional facilities that house offenders and provide them with rehabilitative services.

However, there is one important branch of the criminal justice system that is not included in the three mentioned above: civil law. This is a branch of law separate from criminal law, and focuses more on resolving disputes between individuals or organizations. Civil law cases may involve issues such as contracts, torts, or property rights, and are generally handled by a separate court system, such as the state’s Superior Court. Therefore, civil law is not a part of the United States criminal justice system.