Criminal Justice Today An Introductory Text for the 21st Century

The gold standard for introductory criminal justice texts.

Best-selling and time-tested, Criminal Justice Today: An Introductory Text for the 21st Century,continues to lead the field as the gold-standard for introductory criminal justice texts. Its comprehensive coverage focuses on the crime picture in America and on the three traditional elements of the criminal justice system: police, courts, and corrections. Building upon the theme of individual freedom versus personal security, it challenges students to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the American justice system as it adapts to the needs of a complex and rapidly changing society. An instructor and student favorite, the Fourteenth Edition continues its tradition of thorough analysis of today’s issues in an easy-to-read format.

Criminal Justice Today, 14/e is also available via REVEL™, an interactive learning environment that enables students to read, practice, and study in one continuous experience. Learn more.

Frank Schmalleger, Ph.D., is Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. He chaired the university’s department of sociology, social work, and criminal justice for almost 20 years – while specializing in research in crime and delinquency. He has taught dozens of courses at both the graduate and undergraduate level in both on-ground and on-line environments.  Schmalleger is the author of many books and journal articles, including the standard-setting Criminal Justice Today, 14/e (Pearson); Criminal Justice: A Brief Introduction, 12/e (Pearson); Criminology Today, 8/e (Pearson); Criminology, 3/e (Pearson); Criminal Law Today, 6/e (Pearson); Corrections in the Twenty-First Century, 6/e (McGraw-Hill; with John Smykla); Courts and Criminal Justice in America (Pearson; with Larry Siegel and John Worrall); Juvenile Delinquency, 10/e (Pearson; with Clem Bartollas); and Policing, 2/e (Pearson; with John Worrall). Schmalleger has worked with U.S. military personnel -- primarily members of the Army’s CID, MP’s, Air Force SP’s and members of Air Force OSI from the late 1970s to the early 1990s helping officers make successful transition to civilian life. Schmalleger’s philosophy of both teaching and writing can be summed up in these words: “In order to communicate knowledge we must first catch, then hold, a person’s interest—be it student, colleague, or policymaker. Our writing, our speaking, and our teaching must be relevant to the problems facing people today, and they must in some way help solve those problems.

Chapter 1: What Is Criminal Justice?                                                

Chapter 2: The Crime Picture                                                            

Chapter 3: The Search for Causes                                                      

Chapter 4: Criminal Law                                                                   

Chapter 5: Policing: History and Structure                                        

Chapter 6: Policing: Purpose and Organization                                 

Chapter 7: Policing: Legal Aspects                                                    

Chapter 8: Policing: Issues and Challenges                                       

Chapter 9: The Courts: Structure and Participants                            

Chapter 10: Pretrial Activities and the Criminal Trial           

Chapter 11: Sentencing                                                                      

Chapter 12: Probation, Parole, and Community Corrections            

Chapter 13: Prisons and Jails                                                             

Chapter 14: Prison Life                                                                      

Chapter 15: Juvenile Justice                                                               

Chapter 16: Drugs and Crime                                                            

Chapter 17: Terrorism, Multinational Criminal Justice, and Global Issues    

Chapter 18: High-Technology Crimes

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.