Twenty-three readings provide a general overview of the United States justice system, including the courts at both the State and Federal levels. They also discuss proposals for court reform, factors affecting criminal behavior, the relationships between Federal and State judicial systems, and ways to improve access to justice and reduce its costs. Eight readings focus on the first debate proposition: that the United States should adopt uniform rules governing the criminal investigation procedure of all public law enforcement agencies in the Nation. Issues considered include investigative techniques, the exclusionary rule and its impact on search and seizure procedures, the use of informants, and the use of undercover agents. Readings on the second proposition -- that uniform rules should govern all civil court procedures -- focus on discovery and caseload management. Readings on the need for uniform rules governing all criminal court procedures focus on suggested State legislation, court decisions, sentencing reform, and model laws. An annotated bibliography of over 200 references, a research guide, and a list of relevant publications available from the U.S. Government Printing Office are included. Footnotes and references are also supplied for individual papers. (For separate papers, see NCJ 92786-96.)