NCJ Number
63426
Date Published
1980
Length
262 pages
Annotation
THE PURPOSE OF THIS OVERVIEW OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE IS TO ASK INFORMED QUESTIONS AND TO POINT OUT WHAT WILL NOT WORK IN ACHIEVING CRIME PREVENTION AND JUSTICE IN THE COURTS.
Abstract
LARGE CITIES ARE THE BOOK'S FOCAL POINT BECAUSE IT IS IN LARGE URBAN AREAS THAT THE AMERICAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS PERILOUSLY CLOSE TO BREAKDOWN. IN THIS SECOND EDITION, MATERIAL RELATING TO THE POSTADJUDICATORY PROCESS AND CAPITAL PUNISHMENT HAS BEEN UPDATED AND EXPANDED. THE FIRST CHAPTER DISCUSSES JUSTICE, LAW, AND THE COURTS, INTRODUCES THE CONCEPTS OF NATURAL RIGHTS AND JUDICIAL REVIEW, AND DESCRIBES ENGLISH ROOTS OF AMERICAN LAW, THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, AND THE NATURE OF STATE AND FEDERAL JUDICIAL SYSTEMS. CONCEPTS OF DEVIANCE AND THEORIES ON THE ORIGIN OF CRIMINAL LAW ARE ALSO DISCUSSED AS DIFFERENTIAL HANDLING OF CRIMINALS THAT ARE RICH, POOR, BLACK, WHITE, PARIAHS, OR POLITICAL HERETICS. ADDITIONAL SECTIONS ON CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY EXAMINE THE EFFECTS OF IN RE GAULT ON THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND ASSESS PROCEDURAL REFORM. PRETRIAL INSANITY HEARINGS, A CRITIQUE OF THE M'NAGHTEN RULE, AND A DISCUSSION ON RELEASING THE INSANITY DEFENDANT ARE ALSO GIVEN. ADDITIONAL CHAPTERS DESCRIBE THE POLICE (AREAS OF DISCRETION, CORRUPTION, AND THE POLITICAL DIRECTION OF POLICE ACTIVITIES); THE BUREAUCRATIZATION OF JUSTICE; RIGHTS OF THE ACCUSED; AND THE ROLE OF PROBATION, PAROLE, AND IMPRISONMENT AFTER CONVICTION. THE VALIDITY OF CRIME STATISTICS ARE DISCUSSED IN THE ACCOMPANYING APPENDIX, AND SELECTED READINGS AND NOTES ARE PROVIDED FOR EACH CHAPTER. (AOP)