Courts and Criminal Justice in America

This comprehensive text offers a balanced presentation with a modern approach to the court system in America.

Courts and Criminal Justice in America, 2e, is the collaboration of the most popular criminal justice authors of the century. Featuring a balanced and modern presentation, this book not only looks at the basic structure of the court system and court process, but also covers the recent trends and controversial issues facing courts today. This student-friendly text does not presuppose any knowledge about the courts or how they operate. Highlighted, controversial cases illustrate the tremendous power that the court system has to regulate citizens' lives, to shape what is acceptable and what is forbidden, and to ensure that criminal justice policy balances both rights and liberties. This respected author team delivers the most comprehensive introduction to America's courts on the market today.

Teaching and Learning Experience

The book gives a comprehensive look at the courts, their personnel and the context in which they operate. It provides:

• A balanced presentation: Includes all sides of the most controversial issues facing courts today
• Modern approach: Covers a wide range of topics and recent trends in the field that stir controversy and enliven discussion as they relate to the courts
• Comprehensive, up-to-date coverage: Timely, extensive coverage presupposes no prior knowledge
• Strong pedagogical features: Gives students the tools to master key concepts faster and more effectively

PART I: FOUNDATIONS
CHAPTER 1: Legal Foundations  
CHAPTER 2: Who Controls the Courts?  

PART II: TYPES OF COURTS
CHAPTER 3: Federal Courts  
CHAPTER 4: State Courts  
CHAPTER 5: Juvenile Courts  
CHAPTER 6: Specialized Courts  

PART III: THE PEOPLE INVOLVED
CHAPTER 7: Judges  
CHAPTER 8: Prosecutors  
CHAPTER 9: Defense Attorneys  
CHAPTER 10: Defendants and Victims: Their Roles and Rights  

PART IV: THE COURT PROCESS
CHAPTER 11: Arrest and Beyond  
CHAPTER 12: Plea Bargaining and Guilty Pleas  
CHAPTER 13: The Jury and the Trial  
CHAPTER 14: Sentencing, Appeals, and Habeas Corpus  

PART V: CURRENT ISSUES AND THE FUTURE OF COURTS
CHAPTER 15: Differential Treatment and Wrongful Convictions  
CHAPTER 16: Technology, Alternatives, and the Future   

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.