NCJ Number
58191
Date Published
1979
Length
462 pages
Annotation
A SURVEY OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES IS PROVIDED IN AN INTRODUCTORY TEXTBOOK FOR STUDENTS OF COLLEGE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS.
Abstract
THE TEXT OPENS WITH AN OVERVIEW OF THE CRIME PROBLEM--THE COST AND AMOUNT OF CRIME, URBAN VIOLENCE, TERRORISM, CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND CRIMINOLOGY. THE ROLE OF THE POLICE IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IS EXAMINED IN CHAPTERS ON THE HISTORY OF STATE AND LOCAL POLICING; FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ASSISTANCE AGENCIES; STATE, LOCAL AND PRIVATE POLICING; FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ASSISTANCE AGENCIES; STATE, LOCAL, AND PRIVATE POLICING; THE OPERATING MILIEU OF POLICE AGENCIES (SOCIETAL AND LEGAL CONTEXT, POLICE ORGANIZATION, INTERFACE WITH OTHER CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES); AND INNOVATIONS AND CHANGE IN POLICING (WOMEN IN POLICING, POLICE UNIONS, CRISIS INTERVENTION, TEAM POLICING, CRIME PREVENTION BY POLICE). CHAPTERS ON THE COURTS COVER CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR AND INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS (DEFINING CRIME, LIMITING THE POWER OF THE STATE, SAFEGUARDS OF INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS); THE JUDICIAL PROCESS (PRELIMINARY HEARINGS, THE CHARGING PROCESS, OTHER PRETRIAL PROCEEDINGS, TRIALS, SENTENCING); DILEMMAS FACING THE COURT SYSTEM; JUDICIAL BEHAVIOR (FUNCTIONS OF TRIAL JUDGES PRETRIAL AND TRIAL DUTIES, HOLDING ACCOUNTABLE); AND EVIDENTIARY PROBLEMS IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS (EYEWITNESS IDENTIFICATION PROCEDURES, CONFESSIONS, OPINION EVIDENCE, ETC.) THE FIELD OF CORRECTIONS IS SURVEYED IN CHAPTERS ON PROBATION AND PAROLE, CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AND MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT IN CORRECTIONS. INCLUDED ARE DISCUSSIONS OF CLASSIFICATION AND TREATMENT IN PRISONS, PROBLEMS IN JAIL ADMINISTRATION, AND PRIORITIES FOR CORRECTIONS. THE CLOSING CHAPTER DEALS WITH DELINQUENCY AND THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. ACCOMPANYING THE TEXT ARE A GLOSSARY, ABSTRACTS OF SELECTED COURT CASES, EXAMPLES OF CAREER OPPORTUNTIES, STUDY QUESTIONS, AND SUGGESTIONS FOR ADDITIONAL READING. (LKM)