ABSTRACT
Criminal justice interns may see people being treated unjustly or unfairly, or fellow agency workers and supervisors involving themselves in unethical or illegal activities. Once one begins to compromise values and ethics, it becomes a slippery slope from which recovery may be difficult, if not impossible. An intern may not be in a position to change things, but examining occurrences can help an intern clarify and rethink his or her position. Interns are not immune to ethical dilemmas. While some issues are clear-cut, others are much more difficult to discern. The criminal justice system should exemplify justice and make justice its end. Individuals should be treated fairly and justly in its administration. To do otherwise makes a mockery of the system. The administration of justice can only be improved through high ethical standards and personnel who are willing to abide by them. At the end of this chapter you will be asked to review a number of questions on ethics that will deal with ethical issues both before and during your internship.
