In the context of the U.S. criminal justice system, the author identifies such relevant factors as fear of crime, the effect of longer imprisonment for convicted felons, increased court caseloads, drug-related crimes, and civil liberties. His analysis of the criminal case process includes an overview of criminal justice in the United States, as well as detailed procedural information on arrests, preliminary hearings, bail, the charging process, guilty pleas, criminal trials, sentencing, and special problems such as trial location and double jeopardy. Other criminal proceedings are described that encompass juvenile justice, misdemeanors, damage suits against police, and prisoner rights. The role of advocates, defense attorneys, prosecutors, police officers, and judges in the adversary system of criminal justice is examined, and the need for support and reform of this system is stressed. Selected provisions of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights are appended. Footnotes