NCJ Number
57146
Date Published
1979
Length
355 pages
Annotation
THIS TEXTBOOK PRESENTS AN INTRODUCTORY VIEW OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, ITS COMPONENTS--THE POLICE, THE COURTS, AND CORRECTIONS--AND VARIOUS ISSUES FACING THE SYSTEM, PARTICULARLY THE MOVE TOWARD PROFESSIONALISM.
Abstract
THE TEXT OPENS WITH OVERVIEWS OF THE SYSTEM, THE CRIME PROBLEM IN THE UNITED STATES, AND THEORIES REGARDING THE CAUSES OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. CHARTS AND TABLES PRESENT STATISTICS ON CRIME RATES, VICTIMIZATION AND CASE DISPOSTIONS. A FOLD-OUT FLOW CHART DEPICTS THE INTERRELATIONSHIPS AMONG PARTICIPANTS AND PROCESSES WITHIN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THREE CHAPTERS DEAL INDIVIDUALLY WITH THE MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE SYSTEM: (1) THE POLICE (HISTORY, FUNCTION, STYLES, ISSUES, TRENDS); (2) THE COURTS (HISTORY, COURT PERSONNEL, FOREIGN JUDICIAL SYSTEMS, RIGHTS OF THE ACCUSED, ROLES OF THE PROSECUTION AND THE DEFENSE, BAIL, PLEA BARGAINING, SENTENCING); AND (3) CORRECTIONS. SUBSEQUENT DISCUSSIONS FOCUS ON PROFESSIONALISM IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM (EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS, TRAINING PROGRAMS, CODES OF ETHICS) AND TRENDS RELATING TO STANDARDS AND GOALS, RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REFORM, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, WOMEN IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE, CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION, AND OTHER CONCERNS. DISCUSSIONS OF DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS, PARTICULARLY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CORRECTIONS PERSONNEL, ARE PROVIDED, ALONG WITH CRITICISM OF THE JUDICIAL STRUCTURE, THE JUDICIARY, AND THE BAR. LISTS OF LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND SUGGESTED DISCUSSION TOPICS ARE INCLUDED, AS ARE A COPY OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION, A MODEL RULE FOR CERTIFYING POLICE AND CORRECTIONS OFFICERS, A GLOSSARY, AND AN INDEX. (LKM)