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SYSTEM OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE

NCJ Number
46040
Author(s)
N G HOLTEN; M E JONES
Date Published
1978
Length
495 pages
Annotation
THIS INTRODUCTORY TEXT EXAMINES THE HISTORY, FUNCTIONS, STRUCTURES, PROCESSES, AND INTERACTIONS OF THE FOUR COMPONENTS OF THE SYSTEM: LAW ENFORCEMENT, PROSECUTION, TRIAL COURTS, AND CORRECTIONS.
Abstract
THE TEXT APPROACHES THE STUDY OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE FROM A SYSTEMS STANDPOINT AND EMPHASIZES THE INTERRELATEDNESS AND INTERDEPENDENCE OF ALL OF THE COMPONENTS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE. AN INTRODUCTORY SECTION DESCRIBES THE SYSTEMS APPROACH AND PROVIDES AN OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS, STRUCTURES, AND PROCESS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AS A WHOLE. A DISCUSSION OF THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE SYSTEM INCLUDES CONSIDERATIONS OF THE DEFINITION OF JUSTICE, CLASSIFICATIONS OF CRIMES AND OF LAW, THE CONSTITUTION AND BILL OF RIGHTS, AND THE APPEALS PROCESS. A SEPARATE SECTION IS DEVOTED TO EACH OF THE FOUR COMPONENTS OF THE SYSTEM; THE HISTORY, FUNCTIONS, STRUCTURES, AND PROCESSES OF EACH ARE DISCUSSED. IN ADDITION, ITS RELATIONSHIPS TO OTHER COMPONENTS AND TO THE ENVIRONMENT WITHIN WHICH IT OPERATES ARE EXAMINED. ALL LEVELS OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMPONENT -- LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL -- ARE DESCRIBED, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON THE ACTIVITIES AND PROCESSES OF MUNICIPAL POLICE AND COUNTY SHERIFFS. THE PROSECUTION IS TREATED SEPARATELY, ALTHOUGH IT IS GENERALLY CONSIDERED PART OF THE COURT COMPONENT; PROSECUTORS' FUNCTIONS ARE ACTUALLY MORE ADMINISTRATIVE THAN JUDICIAL, AND THEY PLAY A UNIQUE ROLE IN THE CRIMINAL PROCESS. THE PROSECUTION PROCESS IS DESCRIBED THROUGH THE STAGES OF INDICTMENT, ADJUDICATION, AND SENTENCING. A DISCUSSION OF THE COURT COMPONENT OUTLINES THE BASIC STRUCTURE OF STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS AND CONSIDERS THE FUNCTIONS OF THE COURT PARTICIPANTS -- JUDGES, DEFENSE ATTORNEYS, JURORS, WITNESSES, AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL. PRETRIAL ACTIVITIES, ACTUAL PROCEDURE OF A TRIAL, SENTENCING PROCEDURES AND AVAILABLE ALTERNATIVES ARE EXAMINED. TRADITIONAL AND MODERN FUNCTIONS OF THE CORRECTIONS COMPONENT ARE EVALUATED, AND VARIOUS TYPES OF INSTITUTIONS AND TREATMENT PROGRAMS ARE DESCRIBED. THE CORRECTIONS PROCESS IS TRACED FROM SENTENCING TO PAROLE, CONSIDERING VARIOUS ALTERNATIVES SUCH AS PROBATION, INSTITUTIONALIZATION, AND COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS. FINALLY, A BRIEF HISTORY AND A DESCRIPTION OF JUVENILE JUSTICE AND CORRECTIONS IS PRESENTED. EACH CHAPTER OF THE TEXT BEGINS WITH AN OUTLINE, A STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES OF THE LESSON, AND A LIST OF KEY TERMS TO BE INTRODUCED. IN ADDITION, EACH CONTAINS A LIST OF TEST QUESTIONS AND NOTES. A BIBLIOGRAPHY, GLOSSARY, AND INDEX FOR THE TEXT ARE PROVIDED. (VDA)

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