NCJ Number
46276
Date Published
1978
Length
335 pages
Annotation
THIS TEXTBOOK, INTENDED FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS, EXAMINES THE JUDICIAL PROCESS AND THE COURTS WHICH ADMINISTER THAT PROCESS.
Abstract
THE BOOK OUTLINES ONE OF THE MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, THE COURTS, AS A FULLY DEVELOPED TOPIC STANDING APART FROM THE TRADITIONAL POLICE-ORIENTED VIEW OF LAW ENFOWRCEMENT. THE TOPICS DISCUSSED INCLUDE DESCRIPTIONS OF COURT ORGANIZATION, STRUCTURE, AND FUNCTION, BOTH HISTORICAL AND CONTEMPORARY. STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS, TOGETHER WITH THE SPECIALIZED JUVENILE COURTS, ARE CONSIDERED. THE FUNCTIONS, STAGES, AND PARTICIPANTS IN THE JUDICIAL PROCESS ARE BRIEFLY DESCRIBED; EACH IS THEN DISCUSSED INDIVIDUALLY. THE PROGRESS OF A CASE FROM ARREST THROUGH POSTDISPOSITION REMEDIES IS TRACED. PRETRIAL RELEASE, PLEA NEGOTIATION, THE GRAND JURY, THE JURY TRIAL, SENTENCING, AND THE ROLE OF THE PROSECUTOR, DEFENSE COUNSEL, AND JUDGE ARE EXAMINED. THROUGHOUT THE BOOK, CONTEMPORARY REFORM EFFORTS ARE STRESSED. THE FINAL CHAPTER CONSIDERS THE FUTURE OF COURT ADMINISTRATION AND POSSIBLE FUTURE REFORM. A SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE INCLUDED. APPENDIXES CONTAIN COPIES OF THE JUDICIAL ARTICLE OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION, TOGETHER WITH SELECTED AMENDMENTS, AND FORMS USED IN THE JUDICIAL PROCESS FOR SEARCH, ARREST, SUMMONS, SUBPOENA, PRETRIAL RELEASE, INDICTMENT, AND INFORMATION. FOOTNOTES AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY FOLLOW EACH CHAPTER. AN INDEX IS PROVIDED. (KBL)