The criminal justice system overview includes a list of law enforcement agencies, prosecutorial functions, and correctional agencies in the State by mission and level of government; a description of the criminal justice process; a description of related boards and commissions; and a glossary of terms. Stages in juvenile justice processing are outlined, with appropriate statutory authorizations, and a glossary of juvenile justice terms is provided. A list of selected statutes and constitutional articles is presented which identifies many of the areas with which a local government official must or may deal pertaining to criminal justice. The list begins with the Governor's role in the criminal justice system, then moves to the duties and responsibilities of municipal authorities, county authorities, and other county officials' roles. A chronological list of selected attorney general opinions covering a 10-year period is included. A description of local government responsibilities for criminal justice covers budgeting and decisionmaking and planning for criminal justice services. A list of county jail standards is included along with a description of the organization of a municipal ordinance (highlighting the major points of construction and identifying common problems about what is acceptable and necessary). The resource section includes State, Federal, national, and academic sources of information about criminal justice, as well as a list of regional planning commissions. References cited include government publications, articles, and journals.