NCJ Number
186588
Editor(s)
Lisa Stolzenberg,
Stewart J. D'Alessio
Date Published
1999
Length
436 pages
Annotation
This is a collection of readings concerning issues relating to criminal courts.
Abstract
The book examines the structure and operation of lower court systems, drug diversion courts, and juvenile courts. It also considers the controversial prosecutions of pregnant women who use illicit drugs. It explores several key factors that influence the processing of criminal defendants, including bail guidelines, pretrial drug testing programs, and plea bargaining. In addition, it examines issues pertaining to eyewitness identification, lineups, and using DNA evidence in the prosecution of criminal defendants. A section on the criminal trial focuses on the trial process, including the role of jury science, nonevidentiary social influences on the jury, and judicial misconduct during jury deliberations. The section also addresses the use of cameras in the courtroom, and whether jury deliberations should be recorded. Finally, the book investigates issues regarding the sanctioning of criminal offenders. The investigation covers such issues as racial discrimination in sentencing, victim rights, three-strike laws, capital punishment for juvenile offenders, and corporal punishment. Notes, tables, figures, references