The book examines the criminal justice system from its historical foundation through its contemporary form. The text is organized in five parts. Part I provides a foundation for the American criminal justice system. Part II discusses law enforcement issues and concepts. Part III deals with the court system and Part IV deals with correctional concepts and juvenile justice. Part V addresses criminal victimology, victims' rights, and the impact of drugs on the system. Each chapter includes case studies and discussion questions. The book considers many issues, including: (1) individual rights v. law and order; (2) the due process concept; (3) sources and classifications of crime; (4) legal research and methodology; (5) concepts of crime causation; (6) evolution of social control; (7) the cycle of violence; (8) sources of crime data; (9) public-private contemporary law enforcement systems; (10) civil liability; (11) police ethics; (12) community corrections; (13) juvenile gangs; (14) factors that influence drug use; and (15) future trends. Notes, figures, glossary, index, photographs