NCJ Number
176871
Editor(s)
J Karson
Date Published
1998
Length
208 pages
Annotation
This volume presents 26 articles that argue opposing viewpoints regarding criminal justice system reform, the rights of the accused, sentencing laws, and the effect of the legal system on criminal justice.
Abstract
Individual papers argue that criminal justice system reforms to eliminate racism are necessary, that such reforms are not necessary, that the system should focus on rehabilitation, and that the system should focus on punishment. Additional papers argue that capital punishment should be abolished, that capital punishment should be continued, that the rights of the accused must be zealously protected, and that zealous protection of the rights of the accused weakens the criminal justice system. Further papers argue that three-strikes laws can reduce crime, that such laws are inconsistent and overly punitive, that mandatory minimum sentencing should be abolished, that mandatory minimum sentencing is necessary, that the criminal trial is too adversarial, and that the criminal trial should be more adversarial. Other papers focus on the exclusionary rule, truth-in-sentencing laws, defending the guilty, and whether defense attorneys distort the truth. Figures, illustrations, list of organizations to contact, index, and bibliographies