NCJ Number
15300
Date Published
1974
Length
215 pages
Annotation
AN EXAMINATION OF CRIME CONTROL ORGANIZATIONS AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES FROM A MARXIST VIEWPOINT, WHICH CONCLUDES THAT LAWS ARE MADE AND ENFORCED BY THOSE IN POWER FOR THEIR OWN BENEFIT.
Abstract
THE BASIC FRAMEWORK OF THE AMERICAN LEGAL SYSTEM AND MANY OF THE SPECIFIC EVENTS RELATING TO CRIME CONTROL IN THE LAST DECADE ARE INVESTIGATED. SENATE COMMITTEES, PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSIONS AND TASK FORCES, THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION AND THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, AND SUCH CENTRAL AGENCIES AS THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATION ARE EXAMINED AS WELL. THE AUTHOR ALSO ANALYZES RECENT SENATE ACTIONS, SUCH AS THE OMNIBUS CRIME CONTROL AND SAFE STREETS ACT. THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CRIME BILL, AND THE ORGANIZED CRIME CONTROL ACT, AND EXPLORES THE ROLE OF UNIVERSITIES AND THE MEDIA IN PROMOTING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND LEGAL SYSTEMS. IN EACH CASE, THESE SYSTEMS, ORGANIZATIONS, AGENCIES AND LAWS ARE SEEN AS A MEANS OF SUPPORTING AND PRESERVING THE 'DOMINANT CLASS'. SOCIALIST ALTERNATIVES TO THE PRESENT SYSTEM ARE PROPOSED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)