Courts and Criminal Justice in America

by Siegel, Larry J.; Schmalleger, Frank J.; Worrall, John L.

• ISBN13: 9780131745766
• ISBN10: 013174576X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-01-13
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

The most popular two Criminal Justice authors of the century have joined for a collaboration of excellence! Featuring a balanced and modern presentation, this book addresses the need for a volume that covers hot button issues as well as the basic structure of the court system and court process. Its up-to-date coveragehighlights several recent trends, such as the addition of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, advents in problem-solving courts, and technological innovations. Special sections feature court cases with lasting impact and stories of courts in the news. Written by a respected author team, the book gives a comprehensive look at the courts, their personnel and the context in which they operate.

Table of Contents

SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS

1.      Legal Foundations

2.      Who Controls the Courts?

 

SECTION 2: TYPES OF COURTS

3.      Federal Courts

4.      State Courts

5.      Juvenile Courts

6.      Specialized Courts

 

SECTION 3: THE PEOPLE INVOLVED

7.      Judges

8.      Prosecutors

9.      Defense Attorneys

10.  Defendants and Victims: Their Roles and Rights

 

SECTION 4: THE COURT PROCESS

11.  Arrest and Beyond

12.  Plea Bargaining and Guilty Pleas

13.  The Jury and the Trial

14.  Sentencing, Appeals, and Habeas Corpus

 

SECTION 5: CURRENT ISSUES AND THE FUTURE OF COURTS

15.  Differential Treatment and Wrongful Convictions

16.  Technology, Alternatives, and the Future