THE JUDAEO-CHRISTIAN BELIEFS THAT UNDERLIE AMERICAN GOVERNMENTAL PRINCIPLES FOR ENFORCING THE LAW AND ADMINISTERING JUSTICE ARE DESCRIBED, AND A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE IS GIVEN BY TRACING THE DEVELOPMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE PRACTICES FROM ANCIENT TIMES TO THE CONTEMPORARY PERIOD. THE COMPLEX RELATIONSHIPS OF THE CONSTITUTION ALSO ARE EXAMINED, PARTICULARLY WITH REGARD TO HOW THE CONSTITUTION IS STRUCTURED AROUND THE FEDERAL AND STATE CITIZEN. ALTHOUGH THE CONSTITUTION WAS AMENDED BY THE BILL OF RIGHTS, THE QUESTION OF PROTECTION AGAINST A STATE GOVERNMENT'S INFRINGEMENT OF INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS WAS NOT FACED UNTIL THE END OF THE CIVIL WAR AND PASSAGE OF THE 'DUE PROCESS' 14TH AMENDMENT. THE MYRIAD OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES THAT FUNCTION AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT ARE LISTED AND DESCRIBED AS ARE THE PROBLEMS FACED BY MUNICIPAL POLICE AGENCIES WHO MUST ENFORCE HUNDREDS OF CRIMINAL LAWS AND MUNICIPAL ORDINANCES, PROVIDE IMPARTIAL PATTERNS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR ALL SEGMENTS OF THE COMMUNITY, CONFORM TO FEDERAL AND JUDICIAL STANDARDS, AND COPE WITH THE CONFLICTING DEMANDS OF ENFORCING THE LAW AND PERFORMING 'SOCIAL SERVICE' TASKS. A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCESS OF FORMALLY ADJUDICATING ALLEGED LAW VIOLATIONS INCLUDES INFORMATION ON ARREST, BOOKING, CHARGING, INITIAL APPEARANCE, PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION, TRIAL, AND PRESENTENCE INVESTIGATION AND SENTENCING. CHAPTERS CONTAIN PREVIEW SECTIONS, A LIST OF OBJECTIVES, AN OUTLINE, AND A LIST OF REFERENCES. AN INDIVIDUAL BIBLIOGRAPHY AND A SUMMARY ALSO ARE PROVIDED. ALSO INCLUDED ARE TWO APPENDIXES; THE FIRST GIVES A HISTORY OF THE MOLLY MAGUIRES AND THE SECOND PROVIDES EXAMINATION AND ESSAY QUESTIONS AND SUGGESTED RESEARCH AND DISCUSSION TOPICS. (PRG)