Explaining Criminal Justice

CHAPTER 1: CRIME AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ; Introduction: What Is Crime? ; The Philosophies of the Criminal Justice System ; A System of Checks and Balances ; The Four C's of the Criminal Justice System (Citizens, Cops, Courts, and Corrections) ; Recent Trends in Criminal Justice ; Suggested Readings ; CHAPTER 2: THEORIES/EXPLANATIONS OF CRIME ; Introduction ; Theoretical Schools of Thought ; Biological Explanations ; Psychological Explanations ; Sociological Explanations ; Theory Integration ; Suggested Readings ; CHAPTER 3: POLICING AND LAW ENFORCEMENT ; Introduction ; Structure ; Organization ; Police Work and Career Paths ; Historical Background ; The American Experience ; Enduring Elements and Issues ; Future Issues ; Suggested Readings ; CHAPTER 4: COURTS AND LEGAL ISSUES ; Introduction ; Federal Court System ; State Court Systems ; Court Actors ; Movement of Cases Through the Court System ; Current Issues ; Suggested Readings ; CHAPTER 5: CORRECTIONS ; Introduction ; Contemporary Corrections ; Punishment in Contemporary America ; Sentencing and Sanctions ; Available Sanctions ; Future Issues Facing Corrections ; Suggested Readings ; CHAPTER 6: THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM ; Introduction ; Defining Delinquency ; The Development of the Juvenile Justice System ; The Philosophy of the System ; The Police and Juveniles ; The Juvenile Court ; Due Process for Juveniles ; Juvenile Corrections ; Special Topics ; Suggested Readings