The book describes police dealings with suspects; charging, cautioning and prosecuting offenders; bail and remand decisions; pleas, trials and sentencing; and arrangements for carrying out custodial and non-custodial sentences. The section on criminal courts looks at magistrates' courts; the Crown Court; high court, court of appeal and House of Lords; and the youth court. Key actors in the criminal justice process include: (1) police and other law enforcement agents; (2) court personnel such as judges, juries, magistrates, prosecutors, barristers and solicitors, witnesses, experts, and interpreters; (3) representatives of the community such as the probation service, social services, education, medical and psychiatric services, and volunteer organizations; and (4) personnel in the prison system, including prisoners themselves, prison staff and parole boards. The book also discusses the Royal Commission, protection from discrimination, multi-agency working, and victims of crime. Appendix, index