AN EXAMINATION OF THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE GOALS AND OPERATION OF THE CRIMINAL SYSTEM DURING A RIOT ARE NO DIFFERENT THAN IN ORDINARY TIMES. THE OUTWARD INDICATIONS SUCH AS JAIL CONDITIONS, THE INABILITY OF ARRESTEES TO CONTACT FRIENDS, RELATIVES, OR LAWYERS, OR POST BAIL, AND THE SYSTEM'S HOSTILITY TOWARD VOLUNTEER LAWYERS AND LAW STUDENTS SUGGEST TO THE RESEARCHERS THAT THE LOWER CHICAGO COURTS ALLOW THE RIGHTS OF DEFENDANTS TO BE ABUSED, BUT THEY EXAMINE THE POSSIBILITY THAT THIS IS THE RULE RATHER THAN THE EXCEPTION. THE STUDY PARTICULARLY EXPLORES CHARGING POLICY, BAIL SETTING PROCESS, THE DISPOSITION OF RIOT CASES, THE PROBLEM OF PREVENTIVE DETENTION, AND THE TENSION BETWEEN DUE PROCESS AND EFFICIENT JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION. IT IS BASED PRIMARILY ON A STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF OFFICIAL ARREST AND COURT RECORDS PLUS THE REPORT AND FILES OF THE CHICAGO RIOT STUDY COMMITTEE. SOME INDIVIDUALS ARRESTED DURING THE RIOT WERE LOCATED AND INTERVIEWED.