NCJ Number
45982
Date Published
1977
Length
226 pages
Annotation
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT LAW IS PROVIDED FOR THE AVERAGE CITIZEN; LIBERAL USE IS MADE OF EXAMPLE SITUATIONS TO EXPLAIN THE VARIOUS PRACTICES OF CRIMINAL LAW.
Abstract
THE APPLICATION OF CRIMINAL LAW AT ALL LEVELS -- ON THE STREET, IN THE POLICE STATION, IN THE COURTS, AND THROUGHOUT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM -- IS COVERED. THE BOOK IS DIVIDED INTO FIVE MAJOR SECTIONS. THE FIRST OF THESE, CONCERNING PARTICIPANTS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, TREATS THE POLICE, THE LAWYERS, THE COURTS, AND DETENTION AND CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES. A SECTION ON CRIMES IS FURTHER SUBDIVIDED INTO CRIMES AGAINST THE PERSON; CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY; OFFENSES AFFECTING PUBLIC MORALS, HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELFARE; WHITE-COLLAR CRIMES; ORGANIZED CRIME; MISCELLANEOUS FEDERAL OFFENSES; INTERFERENCE WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND JUDICIAL PROCESSES; UNCOMPLETED CRIMINAL CONDUCT AND CRIMINAL COMBINATIONS; ACCESSORIES TO A CRIME; AND MENTAL RESPONSIBILITY. AMONG THE TOPICS IN A DISCUSSION OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS AND THE POWERS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ARE GENERAL INVESTIGATIVE PROCEDURES, SPECIFIC POLICE POWERS AND THEIR LIMITATIONS, EYE-WITNESS IDENTIFICATION PROCEDURES, STOP-AND-FRISK, SEARCH AND SEIZURE, INTERROGATIONS AND CONFESSIONS, AND THE RIGHT AGAINST SELF-INCRIMINATION. THE PROCEDURES BETWEEN ARREST AND APPEAL ARE EXAMINED, INCLUDING, PRETRIAL RIGHTS AND PROCEDURES; THE TRIAL; SENTENCES; PAROLE, PARDONS, AND COMMUTATIONS; TRENDS IN SENTENCING AND PENOLOGY; AND POSTCONVICTION REMEDIES. THE FINAL SECTION DISCUSSES THE DUTIES OF THE CITIZEN AND ALSO THE CITIZEN'S PROTECTION FROM POLICE ABUSES; THE CITIZEN AS A COURT WITNESS AND AS A JUROR IS EXPLORED, AND LEGAL ACTIONS AGAINST THE POLICE AND OTHER POSSIBLE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ARE COVERED FROM THE CITIZEN'S PERSPECTIVE. RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION AND ITS AMENDMENTS ARE REPRODUCED IN AN APPENDIX. A GLOSSARY AND AN INDEX ARE PROVIDED. (DAS)