ABSTRACT
The last major point in the criminal justice process is discharge. Although offenders are formally removed from the terms of their punishment at this stage, the consequences of their actions will likely continue. Many states restrict the ability to vote and to live in certain locations, and inmates who are not subject to these penalties might still find it difficult to obtain employment due to their conviction. Some offenders will return to crime following discharge, though the precise level of recidivism is unclear. It is difficult to predict the future of the criminal justice system. However, the increased trend toward federalism and influence of technological advances may have an impact on the types of crime processed by the justice system and the tools used to address contemporary problems. As evidenced by the war on drugs, shifts in public opinion might also influence our laws and responses to certain activities.
