NCJ Number
17806
Date Published
1974
Length
400 pages
Annotation
A TEXTBOOK WHICH PROVIDES DESCRIPTIONS OF MAJOR THEORETICAL ORIENTATIONS IN LAW, VARIOUS DEFINITIONS OF LAW, AND DISCUSSIONS OF LAW IN RELATION TO POLICE, LAWYERS, THE JURY, AND CONTEMPORARY ISSUES.
Abstract
A THEORETICAL OVERVIEW OF SUCH TOPICS AS LEGAL REASONING, VALUE DILEMMAS IN SELECTING ONE RULE OVER ANOTHER, THE FUNCTION OF COURTS IN ADJUDICATING COMPETING CLAIMS, LAW AND POPULAR WILL, AND AN OVERVIEW OF THE DECISIONAL PROCESS IS PROVIDED. QUESTIONS OF LAW IN RELATION TO THE POLICE ARE ALSO EXAMINED. INCLUDED IN THIS DISCUSSION ARE VIEWS ON HOW TO FIND AN ACCEPTABLE BALANCE BETWEEN THE NEED FOR SOCIAL ORDER AND INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM, THE ROLE OF THE SUPREME COURT IN CONTROLLING POLICE POWER, AND THE ALTERNATIVES TO THE PRESENT STRUCTURE AND COMPOSITION OF POLICE FORCES. THE RELATIONSHIP OF LAWYERS TO SOURCES OF POWER, THE NATURE AND MEANING OF ADVOCACY IN THE LEGAL PROCESS, AND ISSUES OF THE ROLE OF LAWYERS IN SOCIAL REFORM ARE EXPLORED AS WELL. OTHER TOPICS DISCUSSED INCLUDE THE HISTORY OF THE USE OF JURIES, THE JUDICIAL ROLE OF JURIES, THE JURY AS A POLITICAL INSTITUTION, ISSUES IN JURY SELECTION, THE GRAND JURY, AND NOTIONS OF LAW AND ORDER.