1.11. Wedding Cake Model of Justice 
SHANELL SANCHEZ 
Wedding Cake Model 
Another model of justice was developed by Samuel Walker that attempts to demonstrate how cases move 
through the system and may be treated differently by media and society. This model referred to as the 
Wedding Cake Model Theory, is unique because it differentiates types of crimes by how serious the offense 
is, the offenders criminal record, and the victim and offender relationship. 
1 It is referred to as a wedding 
cake because of the different tiers or layers on a cake. Take a moment to glance at the wedding cake image 
below and notice that wedding cakes often have different layers and the bottom tends to be the largest with 
the top being the smallest. This section will explain what each layer would resemble in the criminal justice 
system. 
We are going to work our way from the bottom of the cake, or the most significant piece, to the smallest 
piece on top. In the criminal justice system, the bottom layer of the model would represent the most 
1. Walker, S. (2006). Sense and nonsense about crime and drugs: A policy guide (6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson 
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