NCJ Number
6250
Date Published
1972
Length
488 pages
Annotation
THE MUGGING IS AN ACCOUNT OF AN ARCHETYPAL URBAN TRAGEDY FROM ITS UNDERLYING CAUSES TO ITS ULTIMATE EFFECT UPON ALL THE PERSONS CONNECTED WITH IT.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR RELATES THE STORIES OF THE ELDERLY VICTIM AND HIS ACQUAINTANCES, THE YOUNG GHETTO-REARED ACCUSED AND THEIR FAMILIES, THE DETECTIVES, PROSECUTOR, DEFENDERS, JUDGES, JURORS, AND THE PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN THE BRONX, NEW YORK, NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE THE ATTACK TOOK PLACE. THROUGHOUT THE NARRATIVE, THE AUTHOR STEPS ASIDE TO TREAT EACH ASPECT OF THE CRIME AND THE JUDICIAL PROCESS IN BROAD TERMS AND TO EXPLORE THE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS OF LAW AND LIBERTY INVOLVED. THESE COMMENTS, TAKEN TOGETHER, ADD UP TO AN OVERALL PORTRAIT OF VIOLENT CRIME IN CONTEMPORARY AMERICA, THE DAMAGE IT IS DOING TO OUR SOCIETY, AND THE EFFORTS OF OUR FALTERING CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO DEAL WITH IT. MOST IMPORTANT AND MOST TROUBLING OF ALL, AS THE AUTHOR SHOWS, IS THE EFFECT OF VIOLENT CRIME UPON OUR ATTITUDES TOWARD THE DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM OF JUSTICE - OUT OF FEAR AND ANGER, MANY OF US HAVE BECOME HOSTILE TOWARD THE IDEAL OF DUE PROCESS, AND WILLING TO LIMIT OR DIMINISH THE CIVIL-RIGHTS GUARANTEED TO ALL BY THE CONSTITUTION.