NCJ Number
49919
Editor(s)
J F BUNCHER,
M H LAZERSON
Date Published
1978
Length
295 pages
Annotation
EDITORIALS SELECTED FROM NEWSPAPERS IN THE UNITED STATES ARE PRESENTED TO INDICATE ATTITUDES TOWARDS CRIME, JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND THE LAW, THE CRIMINAL PROCESS, SENTENCING, AND THE PENAL SYSTEM.
Abstract
THE FIRST SECTION CONSIDERS CRIME AS AN ENIGMA, CRIME STATISTICS, AND THE EFFICIENCY OF LEAA PROGRAMS. THE EDITORIALS CONCERNING YOUTH AND THE LAW DISCUSS TREATMENT VERSUS PUNISHMENT FOR JUVENILES, THE EXISTENCE AND EXTENT OF SCHOOL CRIME, AND THE NEED FOR DESIGNING JUVENILE CRIME PREVENTION MEASURES. DRUG ABUSE IS ALSO CONSIDERED. THE COLLECTION OF EDITORIALS EXAMINING THE CRIMINAL PROCESS DEALS WITH THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS, DEBATING THE EXCLUSIONARY RULE, THE RIGHT OF THE ACCUSED TO REMAIN SILENT, BAIL, AND GRAND JURY REFORM. THE PROBLEM OF OVERCROWDED COURTS AND THE JUSTICE OF PLEA BARGAINING IS ALSO ARGUED. A SECTION ON LAWYERS PRESENTS EDITORIALS ON THE RELATIONSHIP OF LAWYERS' MINIMUM FEES TO EQUALITY OF JUSTICE FOR POOR AND RICH, THE ABUNDANCE OF LAWYERS IN THE COUNTRY, LEGAL ADVERTISING, AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF LEGAL SERVICE CORPORATIONS. THE CODIFICATION OF FEDERAL CRIMINAL LAW AS PROPOSED IN SENATE BILL 1437 IS CONSIDERED. THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND, AND THE APPLICATION OF, SENTENCING IN THE UNITED STATES IS DISCUSSED, INCLUDING SUCH TOPICS AS MANDATORY SENTENCING, SENTENCING REFORM, AND EQUALITY IN SENTENCING. JUSTIFICATIONS FOR AND ARGUMENTS AGAINST CAPITAL PUNISHMENT ARE INCLUDED, TELEVISING OF EXECUTIONS IS DISCUSSED, AND THE REJECTION OF THE MANDATORY DEATH SENTENCE IS EXAMINED. THE FINAL SECTION INCLUDES EDITORIALS DEALING WITH THE PENAL SYSTEM. PRISON CONDITIONS AND REGULATORY LAWS ARE CONSIDERED AS WELL AS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF REHABILITATION MEASURES AND PAROLE. EACH TOPIC SECTION IN THE TEXT IS INTRODUCED WITH THE GENERAL DISCUSSION OF THE SPECIFIC ISSUE. AN INDEX IS INCLUDED. (DAG)