The text provides a foundation of terminology, concepts, theories, examples, and illustrations to help the reader understand and analyze the criminal justice system in the United States. Each chapter begins with a list of objectives and list of key terms and names. Examples and illustrations help the reader understand both theory and practice, and boxes are used to highlight criminal justice issues, innovative programs, interesting stories, important statistics, people who have contributed to the field, major U.S. Supreme Court cases, international perspectives, and sources of additional information. The text is designed not only to complement the traditional lecture approach but also to facilitate critical thinking about criminal justice. The first chapter focuses on the basics of criminal justice system, victimization, and an innovative model of victim justice. Subsequent chapters cover the measurement of crime and victimization, criminal law and constitutional rights, the criminal justice system, the history and structure of the police, police functions and strategies, police legal constraints, the history and structure of courts and corrections, correctional alternatives, and juvenile justice. A list of U.S. constitutional amendments often cited in criminal justice literature and case law is appended. Notes, tables, and photographs