NCJ Number
40077
Date Published
1977
Length
156 pages
Annotation
THIS BOOK IS A BASIC OVERVIEW OF CRIMINAL LAW AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WITH PARTICULAR FOCUS ON THE NEED FOR PROCEDURAL REFORMS OF THE LEGAL PROCESS.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR, A CRIMINAL PROSECUTOR, EXAMINES THE INNER WORKINGS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM FROM THE POLICEMAN'S INITIAL DECISION THAT THERE IS PROBABLE CAUSE TO ARREST TO THE PAROLE BOARD'S EVENTUAL DECISION TO RELEASE A PARTICULAR PRISONER UNDER SUPERVISED CONDITION. THE PROBLEMS OF BAIL, PRETRIAL MOTIONS, VICTIMLESS CRIME, PLEA BARGAINING, JURY TRIALS, JUDICIAL DISCRETION IN SENTENCING, AND THE REVERSAL OF A CONVICTION ON APPEAL ARE DISCUSSED FROM A PRACTICAL PERSPECTIVE, AND IMPROVEMENTS ARE RECOMMENDED. ONE CHAPTER CONTAINS AN ANALYSIS OF THE LEGAL DECISIONS FORMING OUR INTERPRETATION OF THE FOURTH AMENDMENT, CONCERNING THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF SEARCHES AND SEIZURES....MSP