Justice delivery in criminal law systems depends on the quality of the decisions of its members; then fair and equitable delivery of justice should be its central goal. Criminal justice educators need to develop their students into persons who are capable of making these decisions. When the knowledge and skills needed to make these tough decisions are examined they are shown to be the same skills that make someone an effective leader and manager. Incorporating leadership education and making ‘leadership skills’ an identified outcome of undergraduate and graduate criminal justice curricula will prepare students to be effective leaders and managers in creating and administrating a ‘just’ criminal law system for society. Keywords: criminal justice; law enforcement; culture; liberal education; leadership; management; citizenship skills