Criminal justice

Summary: Linked to a dynamic website that keeps you in touch with up-to-the-minute events in criminal justice, the Seventh Edition of Joel Samaha's respected and widely used text describes, analyzes, and promotes critical thinking about three core themes: (1) balancing crime control and individual privacy and liberty in our constitutional democracy; (2) formal and informal decision making in the major crime control agencies of police, courts, and corrections; and (3) analyzing the effectiveness, legality, and wisdom of criminal justice policies, programs, and practices using empirical research. Samaha explores the police, the courts, and corrections while he exposes you to all sides of fascinating questions surrounding these agencies. With interesting features that high-light specific topics and issues and help you develop your own opinions, you'll soon be on your way to making up your mind about the fairness and effectiveness of our country's system of criminal justice.

Record details

ISBN: 0534645577 (student ed.)
ISBN: 9780534645571 (student ed.)
ISBN: 0534274943 (InfoTrac college ed. passcode)
ISBN: 9780534274948 (InfoTrac college ed. passcode)
Physical Description: print
xxv, 608 p. : ill. (chiefly col.) ; 29 cm.
Edition: 7th ed.
Publisher: Belmont, CA : Thomson/Wadsworth, c2006.

Content descriptions

General Note:	Includes access code to Infotrac college edition.
Bibliography, etc. Note:	Includes bibliographical references (p. 566-585) and indexes.
Formatted Contents Note:	Criminal Justice -- Criminal justice in the United States -- Crime, Criminals, and victims -- Explanations of criminal behavior -- Criminal justice and the law -- The police -- Missions and roles of the police -- Policing strategies -- Police and the law -- The courts -- Courts and courtoom work groups -- Proceedings before trial -- Conviction by trial and guilty plea -- Sentencing -- Corrections -- Community corrections -- Prisons, jails, and prisoners -- Prison life -- Juvenile justice -- Appendix: constitution of the United States -- Glossary.