Criminal Courts : Structure, Process, and Issues

Criminal Courts: Structure, Process, and Issues, 3e provides a comprehensive examination of the criminal court system, from basic pretrial procedures, to the trial process, to sentencing and appeals. It begins with a discussion of the law and its origins, compares the federal and state court systems, and examines the key courtroom personnel. This edition includes separate chapters on the juvenile justice system and juvenile courts, and a new chapter on diversion, alternative dispute resolution and specialty courts. Key cases, newspaper articles, and real court examples add practicality and provide a deeper understanding of the issues surrounding criminal courts today.

Concise synopsis of history of American courts, featuring judicial system and key courtroom actors

Up-to-date box materials supplementing text, featuring key issues and relevant themes of different aspects of court procedures

Comprehensive discussion of pretrial procedures, motions, bases for appeals, and alternatives to criminal prosecution, including alternative dispute resolution, pretrial diversion, and restorative justice

Extensive coverage and comparison of state and federal court systems

Comprehensive discussion of juvenile courts, juvenile rights, and the juvenile justice process

Detailed discussion of key courtroom actors, including prosecutors, defense counsels, and judges, and how each are elected or appointed

Comprehensive discussion of plea bargaining, plea bargaining controversies and ethical considerations, and plea bargaining bans in different jurisdictions

Complete discussion of jury system in United States, including jury selection, jury deliberations, and jury issues, including jury nullification, use of jury consultants, and juror misconduct

Complete discussion of the trial process, including opening and closing arguments, examination and cross-examination, and other aspects of presentation of testimony and evidence

Comprehensive discussion of American courts, their interplay with the media, and how the media have changed courtroom procedures

Extensive discussion of key federal and state cases concerning court actions and defendant rights

Discussion of major sentencing systems, including indeterminate, determinate, mandatory, and guidelines-based or presumptive sentencing

Ancillaries include test bank, comprehensive glossary, and bibliography

Questions for review at chapter ends, including listings of key terms