NCJ Number
70815
Date Published
1977
Length
180 pages
Annotation
Following a brief history of the evolution of the structures of justice, case law and historic documents are used to describe principal aspects of American law enforcement, courts, and corrections.
Abstract
Concepts of justice are traced from the Code of Hammurabi, the king of Babylon, formulated during the 21st century B.C. to the establishment of the United States Constitution. The legal structure for law enforcement is examined through discussions of the Supreme Court cases of Escobedo v. Illinois, Miranda v. United States, and Mapp v. Ohio as landmark decisions that have been instrumental in defining the rights of citizens in countering abusive and harassing law enforcement practices. Attention is also given to the Report of the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders in discussing police-community relations in minority and low-income communities. Elements of a fair trial are reviewed, illustrated by the Supreme Court decisions of Gideon v. Wainwright and In re Gault. An examination of correctional practices reviews the report of the New York State Special Commission on Attica and the legal basis for capital punishment. Notable historic incidents of violence overwhelming the rule of law are examined in the areas of the treatment of blacks and the wording class. Brief recommendations for reform within the criminal justice system are presented. Chapter discussion questions and suggested readings are included.