CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THE INDIGENT - A STUDY OF CHICAGO AND COOK COUNTY

• NCJ Number: 2366
• Author(s): D H OAKS; W LEHMAN
• Date Published: 1968
• Length: 203 pages
• Sale Source: University of Chicago Press
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

AN EXAMINATION OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN A LARGE CITY, WITH EMPHASIS ON THE INDIGENT DEFENDANT.

Abstract

THE SYSTEM IS ANALYZED AS A MULTI-STAGE SCREENING PROCESS BY WHICH SOCIETY CHOOSES THOSE TO BE TREATED OR PUNISHED FOR CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. THE FLOW OF BUSINESS THROUGH THE SYSTEM IS MEASURED AT EACH STAGE, FROM INITIAL CONTACT WITH THE POLICE THROUGH PRETRIAL PROCEDURES, TRIAL, AND DIRECT APPEAL. THE MEASUREMENT IS BUT A MEANS OF DISCOVERING HOW WHAT GOES ON AT ONE STAGE AFFECTS EVENTS AT OTHER STAGES. THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS COMPARED TO A LIVING BIOLOGICAL SYSTEM. THE LAW AND PRACTICE REGARDING ASSISTANCE FOR INDIGENT CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS IN COOK COUNTY IS SURVEYED. IN THIS BRANCH OF LAW, STATUTES AND COURT RULES ARE FOUND TO BE NOT ONLY IN FLUX BUT IN CONTRADICTION AND OCCASIONALLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL. THE SYSTEM IS PROVIDING AN INCREASING ARRAY OF SERVICES TO INDIGENT DEFENDANTS, AND THE CONFUSION IS, IN A SENSE, A MEASURE OF SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)