NCJ Number
67040
Date Published
1979
Length
271 pages
Annotation
THIS BOOK IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE A PRACTICAL EXPLANATION OF THE WORKING OF THE CRIMINAL COURTS IN BRITAIN, CONTAINING BASIC INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS OF THE SYSTEM.
Abstract
DIRECTION OBSERVATION OF COURT PROCEEDINGS IS RECOMMENDED AS THE BEST WAY TO MASTER THE WORKINGS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THIS METHOD, HOWEVER, IS DEEMED IMPRACTICABLE AND TIME-CONSUMING; THEREFORE, THIS BOOK IS DELIBERATELY STRUCTURED TO SUBSTITUTE CONCRETE ILLISTRATION FOR ACTUAL EXPERIENCE. THE BOOK INTRODUCES A FICTIONAL CASE IN ORDER TO PROVIDE AN OVERALL VIEW OF THE SYSTEM. THE FORTUNES OF A YOUNG MAN CHARGED WITH A CRIME ARE FOLLOWED FROM THE MOMENT OF HIS ARREST TO HIS EVENTUAL SENTENCE. THIS EPISODE, DELIBERATELY SIMPLE, NEVERTHELESS PROVIDES THE KEY TO THE MORE THEORETICAL FOLLOWING SECTIONS BY PLACING ABSTRACT CONCEPTS IN A REALISTIC CONTEXT. WHEN DETAILS OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURES ARE EXPLAINED IN THE NEXT SECTION, THIS IS DONE WITH REFERENCE BACK TO THE CASE AS ILLUSTRATING THE RULES DESCRIBED. AMONG THE PROCEDURES ANALYZED ARE CRIME INVESTIGATION, MAGISTRATES AND COMMITTAL PROCEEDINGS, TRIALS AT MAGISTRATES, AND THE CROWN LEVELS, JUVENILE COURT, APPEALS, BAIL COSTS, AND ACCESS TO LEGAL AID. THE THIRD FINAL SECTION DELINEATES THE SENTENCES THAT CAN BE IMPOSED BY VARIOUS COURTS. IT IS POINTED OUT WHEN IN LAW A COURT CAN IMPOSE A PARTICULAR PUNISHMENT AND WHAT THAT PUNISHMENT IN FACT INVOLVES TO THE OFFENDER. DESCRIBED ARE IMPRISONMENT, NON-CUSTODIAL SENTENCES UPON ADULTS, JUVENILE SENTENCING, MEASURES FOR MENTALLY ILL OFFENDERS, AND IMMIGRATION CONTROL AND DEPORTATION. THE APPENDIX PRESENTS TEXTS OF THE LEGAL STATUTES WHICH ARE THE ACTUAL SOURCE OF THE RULES EXPLAINED IN THE FOREGOING SECTIONS. READERS ARE ADVISED TO CROSS-CHECK BETWEEN PROCEDURAL DESCRIPTIONS AND THE RESPECTIVE STATUTORY PROVISIONS. A TABLE OF STATUTES AND A LIST OF CASES PRECEDE THE TEXT OF THE BOOK. IMBEDDED IN THE TEXT ARE NUMEROUS FACSIMILES OF FORMS LIKELY TO BE ENCOUNTERED IN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. FOOTNOTES AND AN INDEX ARE ALSO SUPPLIED. (MRK)