NCJ Number
103311
Date Published
1987
Length
570 pages
Annotation
This text for an introductory course on crime and justice in the United States addresses the nature of crime, criminals, and criminal justice; official reactions to crime and criminals; and juvenile justice.
Abstract
Part One discusses problems inherent in attempting to define criminality, to measure crime, and to explain its causes. Part Two, which addresses the societal reaction to crime, includes chapters on Federal, State, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies; on Federal and State court systems; on the role of lawyers (judges, prosecutors, and defense counsel); and on plea bargaining and trials. Part Three focuses on official reactions to criminals, including various types of sentencing (determinate and indeterminate sentences, probation, capital punishment, and imprisonment), community-based corrections, and parole. Part Four, which covers juvenile justice, addresses the history of juvenile justice, the juvenile court, juveniles' rights, juvenile processing, juvenile court procedures, and juvenile institutions. Chapters contain topic headings and review questions. Glossary; case, author, and subject indexes; and approximately 280 references.