As a republic, Puerto Rico has a government that exercises political control over its citizens. As in any republic, there is a social contract between government and citizens in which citizens give up certain freedoms to enjoy the protection and conveniences that a functioning government can provide. As a territory of the United States, Puerto Rico shares our three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial. Focusing on the judicial branch, one must look at the criminal justice system, which consists of police, courts and correctional facilities. Criminal justice is a system composed of governmental institutions and practices that serve to provide social control through deterrence, sanctions, and rehabilitation. In Puerto Rico there is a Bill of Rights within the Constitution that protects individual liberties if a citizen is accused of a crime. These protections mitigate any abuse of power by government personnel in the investigation and/or prosecution of a criminal offense. Regarding criminal proceedings, citizens of Puerto Rico share the rights of U.S. citizens. There are four amendments in our Bill of Rights that directly affect criminal proceedings that are directly related to the sections of Article II of the Constitution of Puerto Rico. The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees "the right of the people to safety of person, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrant shall issue, except upon probable cause, supported by oath or statement, and in particular describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be searched to be seized." (“Civilian Government of Taiwan”) In Puerto Rico, Section Ten, Article II, this same protection is afforded for…half of the document…to accomplish these ends. Works Cited"Bill of Rights in the United States Abroad Territories." Civilian government of Taiwan. Np, nd Web. March 5, 2012. .Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. 1952. Network. March 5, 2012. Dasovich, Syble. "The Criminal Justice System in Puerto Rico." Article Directory. Np, ndWeb. March 6, 2012. rico.html>. "Puerto Rico Police." Wikipedia. Np, 19 February 2012. Web. 5 March 2012.."The preliminary trial." CliffNotes.com. Np, nd Web. 6 March 2012.10065, articleId-10002.html>.