The way in which criminal justice policies are formulated is explored and the impact of public opinion on this process is detailed in terms of the political context. The translation of powerful tides of public opinion into enforceable law in England and the United States is compared. The first part of the volume discusses England's Criminal Justice Act of 1993. The subject of the second part of the volume is legislation, and the focus is on offenses and penalties identified England's Criminal Justice and Public Order Act of 1994. The third part of the volume addresses legislation in the United States with respect to populist pressures and organized interests, symbolism and reality, and partisanship and compromise. Provisions of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 are noted. The fourth part of the volume covers discretion, with particular attention paid to life sentences, criminal appeals, and victim compensation. Footnotes and tables