What is the main function of the criminal justice system?

The main function of the criminal justice system is to maintain social order and enforce laws. This encompasses a broader perspective than simply punishing offenders or rehabilitating them. The primary goal of the criminal justice system is to protect the public and ensure a safe society by enforcing legal norms and standards.

Maintaining social order involves preventing crime, managing conflicts, and ensuring that laws are respected. This necessitates a coordinated approach that includes law enforcement, legal processes, and corrections. By enforcing laws, the criminal justice system not only addresses criminal behavior but also helps to reinforce the values and norms of society, contributing to stability and order within communities.

The other options focus on specific aspects of the criminal justice system. Punishment of offenders is a part of the system but does not encompass its entire focus. Rehabilitation is also an important concept, but it does not apply to all offenders and is merely one of the functions aimed at reducing recidivism and restoring individuals to society. Promoting legal awareness is beneficial but serves more as a supportive function rather than being the central role of the justice system.