Synopses & Reviews
This classic best seller examines criminal justice across several disciplines, presenting elements from criminology, sociology, law, history, psychology, and political science. Broad coverage of the facts, uncompromising scholarship, an engaging writing style, and compelling delivery of current events make THE AMERICAN SYSTEM OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE, now in its 14th Edition, one of the best books available for an in-depth look at the American criminal justice system.
About the Author
George F. Cole is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of Connecticut. He has been recognized for outstanding teaching and research and in 1995 was named a Fellow of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. A specialist in the administration of criminal justice, he has published extensively on such topics as prosecution, courts, and corrections. He developed and directed the graduate corrections program at the University of Connecticut and was a Fellow at the National Institute of Justice (1988). Among his other accomplishments, he has been granted two awards under the Fulbright-Hays Program to conduct criminal justice research in England and the former Yugoslavia. He is co-author of several other Wadsworth criminal justice titles, including THE AMERICAN SYSTEM OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE, Thirteenth Edition (with Christopher Smith and Christina DeJong); AMERICAN CORRECTIONS, Tenth Edition (with Todd Clear and Michael Reisig); AMERICAN CORRECTIONS IN BRIEF (with Todd Clear, Michael Reisig, and Carolyn Petrosino); and THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: POLITICS AND POLICIES, Ninth Edition (with Marc Gertz and Amy Bunger). Christopher E. Smith is Professor of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University. Trained as a lawyer and social scientist, he is the author of twenty books and more than ninety scholarly articles on law, courts, and criminal justice policy. His other books with Wadsworth include CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN AMERICA, Seventh Edition (with George Cole) CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS: MYTHS AND REALITIES, and CRIMINAL PROCEDURE. He is also the co-author, with George Cole and Christina DeJong, of THE AMERICAN SYSTEM OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE, Thirteenth Edition. Christina DeJong, a contributing author for several editions, expands that role dramatically for this edition. She is Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Director of the Center for Integrative Studies in Social Science at Michigan State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Criminal Justice and Criminology at the University of Maryland. Her scholarly research on recidivism, domestic violence, police-community interactions, and other topics has been published in such journals as Criminology, Justice Quarterly, Women and Criminal Justice, and Violence and Victims. She is also the co-author of the book, THE SUPREME COURT, CRIME, AND THE IDEAL OF EQUAL JUSTICE. As a member of the Michigan State University faculty since 1994, she has taught courses on corrections, criminology, research methods, genocide, and women and criminal justice.
Table of Contents
Part I: CRIME AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. 1. Crime and Justice in America. 2. Victimization and Criminal Behavior. 3. The Criminal Justice System. 4. Criminal Justice and the Rule of Law. Part II: POLICE. 5. Police. 6. Police Officers and Law Enforcement Operations. 7. Policing: Contemporary Issues and Challenges. 8. Police and Constitutional Law. Part III: COURTS. 9. Courts and Pretrial Processes. 10. Prosecution and Defense. 11. Determination of Guilt: Plea Bargaining and Trials. 12. Punishment and Sentencing. Part IV: CORRECTIONS. 13. Corrections. 14. Community Corrections: Probation and Intermediate Sanctions. 15. Incarceration and Prison Society. 16. Reentry Into the Community. Part V: THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. 17. Juvenile Justice.