Providing readers with a thorough understanding of our justice system, this book explains the duties and responsibilities of the law enforcement agencies, courts, and correctional departments from the time of arrest through the sentencing of the criminal offender. Avoiding confusing legalese, it addresses why we have laws and why those laws are broken, the constitutional rights of an accused, and the underlying philosophy of correctional endeavors. Explains the need for laws and the necessity of prosecuting criminals. Describes the entire legal process from jury selection to sentencing and examines the rights of the accused. Offers in-depth discussions of victims rights in the court system, the effects of gangs on the crime problems, constitutional and civil rights of an accused, the laws of arrest, and juvenile procedures. Includes selected court cases to provide readers with experience in reading court decisions and assist them in understanding the legal issues involved. Integrates motions and reports taken from actual trial records and provides a graph in the appendix that follows a criminal offender through arrest, sentencing, incarceration, parole, and pardon.