In this edition of Comparative Criminal Justice Systems, a descriptive approach is undertaken in the understanding of comparative and international criminal justice issues. This text focused on the operations of organizations and people driving a country's criminal justice system. The text is organized into 10 chapters beginning with the concern with criminal law through the examination of police, courts, and corrections. It offers a diverse knowledge in legal systems from around the world. The method of categorization or classification is used within the text in order to best understand and explain similarities and differences. Chapter 1 outlines the approach undertaken within this text and the rationale for studying other countries. Chapter 2 presents a picture of the extent of the crime problem worldwide as a prelude to the comparison in responses by the United States and other parts of the world. Chapter 3 attempts to explain the basis of the American criminal justice system and facilitates an appreciation of necessary components of all justice systems. Chapter 4 presents and outlines four legal traditions: common, civil, socialist, and Islamic (religious or philosophical). Chapter 5 continues the discussion of law and the four legal traditions are reviewed in terms of the substantive and procedural aspects. Detailed references to various countries are presented. In the next four chapters, the topics of policing, courts, corrections, and juvenile justice are presented with coverage on Europe, Asia, North and South America, Latin America, Australia, and the Pacific Islands. The final chapter concludes with a presentation on Japan's criminal justice system and its effectiveness in adapting, not adopting, ideas from other countries to build its criminal justice system. References and index