This book is divided into four parts dealing with four general aspects of the criminal courts: (1) courts, prosecution, and the defense; (2) pretrial procedures and evidentiary issues; (3) the criminal trial; and (4) punishment and sentencing. Within each section there are five contemporary articles on a variety of criminal court topics. Part one discusses the structure and operation of drug diversion courts and juvenile courts. Also, prosecutorial discretion in the charging process and the practices of prosecutors and criminal defense attorneys are examined. Part two explores several key factors that influence the processing of criminal defendants, including plea bargaining, pretrial interrogation of child witnesses, and recantation of testimony by victims and witnesses. In addition, issues pertaining to the use of amateur videotapes as evidence are examined. Part three focuses on the trial process, including the role of jury science, non-evidentiary social influences on the jury, and if judges should consider the demographics of the jury pool in deciding change of venue applications. Part four presents several significant issues on the sanctioning of criminal offenders. In addition, issues such as racial and gender discrimination in capital punishment, life to death jury overrides, corporal punishment, and three strikes laws are examined. References, index