NCJ Number
128562
Date Published
1991
Length
416 pages
Annotation
This text on the adult criminal courts in the United States is designed for sophomore-level and junior-level criminal justice courses that focus on criminal courts and for related courses in public administration, political science, and sociology that focus on court organization, policy making, and judicial process and behavior.
Abstract
Individual sections cover arguments over the nature of justice, a brief history of the development of the Anglo-American legal system, basic tenets of American criminal law and procedure, and the organization of the courts. Other sections explain the powers, selection, training, and professional orientations of crucial court personnel; all the steps in the criminal process from arrest through appeal; and current developments in court technology and administration. Other sections examine issues related to the discretion of court officials and attempts to limit that discretion to reduce disparities. Tables, figures, index, and chapter summaries, discussion questions, and reference notes