What is the primary purpose of criminal justice policy in Texas?

The primary purpose of criminal justice policy in Texas is to maintain public safety and order. This overarching goal reflects the fundamental role of the criminal justice system in protecting the rights of citizens and ensuring their safety. Policy decisions are often geared towards preventing crime, managing conflicts within communities, and responding effectively to criminal behavior, all of which contribute to a stable and secure society.

While imposing stricter penalties and increasing incarceration rates may be tactics used within the system, these approaches are ultimately means to the end of ensuring public safety and order, rather than objectives in themselves. Furthermore, providing legal counsel for all defendants serves a critical function in ensuring fairness and justice, but it is part of a broader system aimed at safeguarding community welfare rather than the primary objective. Thus, maintaining public safety and order encompasses and drives the various elements of criminal justice policy in Texas.