IT ARGUES THAT THE RITUALS, RELATIONSHIPS AND LANGUAGE OF PROFESSIONALISM ARTICULATE TO FORM THE COERCIVE STRUCTURES NECESSARY TO THE SPEEDY PRODUCTION OF JUSTICE IN THE OVER-BURDENED LOWER COURTS. THE AUTHOR PRESENTS A STUDY OF THE MAINTENANCE OF HEIRARCHIES OF SOCIAL ORDER THROUGH COURT AND LEGAL PROCEDURES. INCLUDING ABSTRACT AND SITUATIONAL RULES, LEGAL AND OTHERS, SHE DETAILS THE SELECTION AND SLANTING OF SUCH RULES AND ILLUSTRATES HOW MUNDANE INTERACTION WITHIN SUCH A CONTEXT REINFORCES THE EXERCISE OF SOCIAL CONTROL IN A COURT SETTING. THE OSTENSIBLE AND REAL ROLE OF MAGISTRATES, THE POLICE, SOCIAL WORKERS, LAWYERS, AND PROBATION OFFICERS - THEIR COLLUSION. THEIR SECRETS, AND THEIR NEGOTIATIONS - ARE FEATURES HIGHLIGHTED BY REFERENCE TO THE EXPERIENCE OF PERSONS APPEARING IN COURT. A VARIETY OF POSSIBILITIES FOR ANALYZING AND EXPLAINING COURT PROCESSES FOR THE LAYMEN ARE EXPLORED. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)