NCJ Number
62511
Date Published
1979
Length
32 pages
Annotation
INTENDED FOR THE LAY READER, THIS PUBLIC READERS PAMPHLET DELINEATES THE KINDS OF LAW AND THE PROCESSES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT MAKE UP THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
Abstract
THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES IS DESCRIBED, BEGINNING WITH ENGLISH COMMON LAW, AND CONTINUING WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LAW, AND THE DIVISION OF CRIME INTO FELONIES AND MISDEMEANORS. EXAMPLES ARE USED TO ILLUSTRATE SITUATIONS, AND CASES ARE CITED. AN OVERVIEW INDICATES THE COMPONENTS OF THE SYSTEM: CRIMINAL LAW, LAW ENFORCEMENT, PROSECUTORS, LAWYERS, JUDGES, PAROLE AND PROBATION OFFICERS, CORRECTION OFFICERS, INMATES, VICTIMS, WITNESSES AND OTHERS. THE BOOKLET NOTES THAT INTERPRETATION OF LAW VARIES FROM STATE TO STATE AND FROM JUDGE TO JUDGE, AND THAT COURT PROCEDURES ARE NOT UNIFIED. IT ALSO DISCUSSES PROCEDURES FOR CHANGING THE LAW, THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CITIZEN AND POLICE, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FEDERAL AND STATE COURTS, GRAND JURIES, PLEA BARGAINING, COURT DIVERSION, AND QUESTIONS OF CITIZEN AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. ILLUSTRATIONS ARE INCLUDED. (RFC)