The American Criminal Justice System

"The American Criminal Justice System: A Concise Guide to Cops, Courts, Corrections, and Victims" gives students an overview of the American version of justice. The book discusses the problems and challenges faced by the system and dispels some of the myths about criminal justice that students bring to class with them. Each of the seven parts of the book addresses a specific aspect of criminal justice. These include: Myths and Realities in the Criminal Justice System; The Law Enforcement Response to Crime; The Prosecution and the Defense; Going to Court; Sentencing, Corrections, and Alternatives; The Experience of Victims; and The Future of Criminal Justice.

Each chapter ends with a section entitled "For Your Consideration," which gives students additional information related to the topic, including important historical events, court cases, and useful websites and books. This section also lists movies and television shows which feature the aspects of the criminal justice system discussed in the chapter.

"The American Criminal Justice System" is written for introductory courses in criminal justice. The book gives students specific factual information and an increased knowledge base. It successfully demonstrates that criminal justice is a fascinating field of study and that the criminal justice system touches lives in ways both dramatic and meaningful on a daily basis.

James Windell teaches criminal justice classes at Wayne State University in Detroit. He has been a probation officer and a court clinical psychologist who works with offenders. He is the author or co-author of 16 previous books, a newspaper columnist, editor of The Michigan Psychologist, and a group therapist with adolescent delinquents and high-conflict divorce couples.