NCJ Number
209354
Date Published
2004
Length
314 pages
Annotation
This textbook presents nonfictional and fictional case studies based on the author's experiences as a prosecutor and public defender in order to portray in a stimulating format all the topics generally associated with a course on the criminal courts.
Abstract
The first chapter, which focuses on the legal education of lawyers and judges, features a story that provides insights into the educational experience that helps shape future defense lawyers, prosecutors, and judges. This is followed by a chapter on a young prosecutor's unexpected assignment to a day in juvenile court. In chapter 3, a professional court administrator confronts the many forces of case delay; and chapter 4 portrays a public defender who faces the difficulties associated with defending persons accused of crimes. The ethical dilemmas faced by a young county prosecutor in the use of discretionary decisionmaking that affects people's lives is addressed in chapter 5. In chapter 6, a lower court judge and a trial-level judge decide the fates of many; and witnesses are featured in chapter 7, including the victim-witness, the defendant as witness, the eyewitness, the character witness, the expert witness, and the police witness. The steps in due process and the plea bargain are portrayed in the stories of two chapters. Three chapters focus on the trial proceedings and jury deliberations in a case of a 22-year-old Muslim immigrant who wed two young girls under his religious law in a marriage arranged by the families according to old-world customs. The man is charged with bigamy and statutory rape. Remaining chapters address sentencing, the appeal, and problem-solving courts. Chapter notes and a subject index