THROUGH AN EXAMINATION OF THE BASIC SOCIAL STRUCTURES, ROLES, ATTITUDES, AND PRACTICES IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS, THE EDITORS HAVE ATTEMPTED TO PROVIDE THE STUDENT WITH AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE DAY-TO-DAY PROCESSES THAT CONSTITUTE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN OPERATION. THIS ANTHOLOGY FIRST INVESTIGATES SUCH TOPICS AS POLICE DISCRETION, POLICE ROLES, AND THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES INVOLVED IN ARRESTS, CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS, AND JUVENILE RELATIONS. THE SECOND SET OF ARTICLES IN THIS TEXT EXAMINE THE SOCIAL ORGANIZATION OF PROSECUTION AND DEFENSE, FOCUSING ON HOW DECISIONS ABOUT CRIMINAL CASES ARE MADE AND WHETHER SUCH DECISIONS REFLECT THE INTENT OF THE CRIMINAL LAW OR SOME INFORMAL NORMATIVE SYSTEM DEVELOPED WITHIN THE LEGAL BUREAUCRACY. IN THE FINAL SECTION, SEVERAL AUTHORS INVESTIGATE THE INFORMAL ROLES AND FORMULAS WHICH ARE USED BY COURT PERSONNEL TO GUIDE THEIR BEHAVIOR. SPECIFIC ASPECTS OF THE COURT PROCESS REVIEWED IN THIS TEXT INCLUDE BAIL SETTING, TREATMENT OF RAPE VICTIMS, HANDLING OF DRUNK OFFENDERS, AND SENTENCING. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)