NCJ Number
65822
Date Published
1980
Length
575 pages
Annotation
DESIGNED TO MEET THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS AND THEIR INSTRUCTORS, THIS TEXTBOOK PROVIDES A SUBSTANTIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE INTRODUCTION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
Abstract
THE INTRODUCTION PRESENTS AN EXAMINATION OF THE LEGAL FOUNDATION OF CRIME WITH DISCUSSION COVERING STATUTORY AND PROCEDURAL CRIMINAL LAW, THE LAW IN ACTION AND DISCRETION, REASONABLENESS AND THE LAW, THE CLASSIFICATION OF CRIME, THE UNIFORM CRIME REPORTS, VICTIM SURVEYS, AND THE FEAR OF CRIME. NEXT, AN OVERVIEW OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ENCOMPASSES SUCH TOPICS AS THE PROCESSING STAGES IN FELONY CASES, CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION AS SYSTEM AND NONSYSTEM, AND THE FEDERAL ROLE IN IMPROVING STATE AND LOCAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS. CHAPTERS ON THE POLICE DISCUSS THE POLICE ROLE, THE POLICE AND THE COMMUNITY, THE PROFESSIONALIZATION OF THE POLICE, AND THE POLICE AND THE CONSTITUTION. CHAPTERS ON THE COURTS REVIEW THE STATE AND THE FEDERAL COURT SYSTEM, AS WELL AS COURT REFORM, THE BAIL SYSTEM, THE PROSECUTOR AND THE DEFENSE COUNSEL, PLEA BARGAINING AND SPEEDY TRIAL, THE TRIAL PROCESS, AND SENTENCING. DISCUSSION ABOUT CORRECTIONS COVERS PRISON PROGRAMS, PAROLE, AND PRISONERS' RIGHTS; COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS; AND AIDING THE CRIME VICTIMS. FINALLY, THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM IS EXPLAINED, AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION IS PROVIDED BY A SURVEY OF THE JUVENILE COURT THROUGH THE 1960'S. OTHER SECTIONS DESCRIBE THE EXTENSION OF CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS TO JUVENILES, THE CONTEMPORARY JUVENILE COURT SYSTEM, AND NEEDED REFORMS OF THE JUVENILE COURT. EACH CHAPTER HAS A SUMMARY AND DISCUSSION QUESTIONS. THE BOOK CONTAINS MANY TABLES, CHARTS, AND PHOTOGRAPHS, AS WELL AS REFERENCES, GLOSSARIES OF TERMS AND OF LEGAL CASES, AND AN INDEX. (PRG)