NCJ Number
117823
Date Published
1989
Length
636 pages
Annotation
This text examines the nature and extent of crime in the United States, theories regarding factors in criminality, and the nature and activities of each component of the criminal justice system.
Abstract
Individual chapters explore the definitions of crime; social values and the development of criminal law and procedure; crime trends as measured by the Uniform Crime Reporting program; and economic, biological, and psychological factors and sociological and sociopsychological theories of criminality. Further chapters examine the treatment of victims, victim-offender relationships, and issues related to special categories like child victims and victims of domestic violence. Other chapters describe police operations, the role of the crime laboratory, issues in law enforcement, prosecution and defense, criminal proceedings, correctional programs and issues, the juvenile justice system, and crime prevention efforts. Each chapter contains case summaries, excerpts from media articles, reprints of journal articles, a chapter summary, a glossary, and discussion and review questions. Photographs, diagrams, chapter notes and reference lists, and index.