Nontechnical terms are used so that the general public can understand the characteristics of the criminal justice system. The guide also defines technical terms so that the events in a particular case can be followed. The first section of the guide provides a basic background in the law, as it profiles criminal law and procedures; sources of criminal law; the differences between Federal, State, and local laws; and the structure of the court system. The second section explains the provisions of Alaska's criminal law, including constitutional provisions, criminal statutes, regulations, crime classification, and sentencing. What happens in a criminal case is discussed in the third section. In profiling stages in the criminal justice process, the section focuses on how to follow a case through the criminal system and the roles of police, prosecutors, victims, defendants, defense attorneys, juries, judges, magistrates, jails and prisons, and probation and parole officers. A section on special courts considers tribal courts, municipal laws, and juvenile courts. Also included in the guide are the addresses and phone numbers for State agencies and community groups, legal terms and phrases commonly used, a subject index, and drawings that depict a typical criminal case's progress through the criminal justice system.