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INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE - 2ND EDITION

NCJ Number
67400
Author(s)
R D PURSLEY
Date Published
1977
Length
607 pages
Annotation
THIS TEXT, WHICH DESCRIBES THE AGENCIES, PROCESSES, AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, IS INTENDED FOR A COLLEGE INTRODUCTORY COURSE IN THE FIELD.
Abstract
DIVIDED INTO 6 PARTS AND 17 CHAPTERS, THE SUBJECT IS INTRODUCED BY A THOROUGH DISCUSSION OF THE GOALS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND EXPLANATION OF THE PROCESS BY WHICH A CRIMINAL CASE PASSES THROUGH IT. DISCUSSION NEXT FOCUSES ON CRIME AS A SOCIAL PROBLEM, HIGHLIGHTING THE ELEMENTS OF CRIME, MODERN CAUSAL THEORY, CRIME CLASSIFICATIONS, AND BASIC LEGAL TERMS AND DOCUMENTS. CRIME TRENDS ARE ANALYZED, AND CRITICISMS OF THE UNIFORM CRIME REPORTS ARE EXAMINED TOGETHER WITH NEW METHODS OF COLLECTING CRIME STATISTICS. VICTIM COMPENSATION AND THE STATUS OF VICTIMLESS CRIMES ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. CHAPTERS DEAL WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, CONSIDERING THE MAJOR FUNCTIONS OF THE POLICE, INFLUENCES ON MODERN LAW ENFORCEMENT METHODS, AND THE VARIOUS LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL POLICE AGENCIES. IN ADDITION, CRIME DETECTION AND INVESTIGATION, THE RULES GOVERNING SEARCH AND SEIZURE OPERATIONS, THE FACTORS AFFECTING THE LEGALITY OF ARRESTS, POLICE OPERATIONAL STYLES, AND DEPARTMENTAL ORGANIZATION ARE EXAMINED. SUCH CURRENT TRENDS ARE RECOGNIZED AS POLICE JOB ENLARGEMENT, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, CRIME PREVENTION METHODS, POLICE CORRUPTION, AND ARGUMENTS FOR CONSOLIDATION OR DECENTRALIZATION. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ROLE OF COURTS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM INCLUDE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM IN AMERICA, ITS HISTORY, GROWTH, AND STRUCTURE. DESCRIPTIONS OF PRETRIAL AND POSTTRIAL PROCESSES AND ROLES OF JUDGES, PROSECUTORS, AND DEFENSE ATTORNEYS ARE PRESENTED. PLEA BARGAINING, BAIL REFORM AND JURY REFORM ISSUES ARE CONSIDERED. A SURVEY OF THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND PRESENT FORMS OF THE CORRECTIONS ESTABLISHMENT, ENCOMPASSES CORRECTIONS APPROACHES RANGING FROM PUNISHMENT THROUGH REHABILITATION TO REINTEGRATION INTO THE COMMUNITY. TYPES OF INSTITUTIONS ARE DESCRIBED TOGETHER WITH THE PROBLEMS BESETTING JAILS, MAXIMUM SECURITY INSTITUTIONS, AND CORRECTIONAL CAMPS. PEOPLE-ORIENTED DISCUSSION CONCERNS PRISON ADMINISTRATION, THE MAKEUP OF INSTITUTIONAL STAFFS, PROGRAMS FOR INMATES, AND TYPICAL MALE AND FEMALE OFFENDERS. PAROLE AND PROBATION PRACTICES ARE VIEWED HISTORICALLY AND IN TERMS OF CURRENT TRENDS. THE FINAL SECTION OF THE BOOK CONCERNS THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM, EXAMINING TOPICS SUCH AS THE GROWTH OF DELINQUENCY, THE ORIGINS OF THE JUVENILE COURT, THE PROCESS OF JUVENILE JUSTICE, AND SPECIAL YOUTH INSTITUTIONS AND DIVERSION PROGRAMS. EACH CHAPTER INCLUDES A LIST OF REVIEW AND DISCUSSION QUESTIONS, SUGGESTED ADDITIONAL READINGS, AND FOOTNOTES. ILLUSTRATIONS AND TABULAR DATA ARE PROVIDED, AS WELL AS SYNOPSES OF IMPORTANT CASES AND COURT DECISIONS. APPENDIXES INCLUDE THE TEXT OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION, A GUIDE TO MAJOR COURT CASES, LISTS OF JOURNALS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH, AND A GLOSSARY. FOR THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTOR'S MANUAL, SEE NCJ 67401. (MRK)