Overview

""The book is a focused, well-written, and adequately resourced introductory text on the court system."" --Anita Kalunta-Crumpton, Texas Southern University Courts: A Text/Reader, Third Edition, helps students understand the U.S. court system in context, with each brief authored section of the text enhanced by edited research articles that illustrate the questions and controversies in the judicial system today. The articles reflect both classic studies of the criminal court system and state-of-the-art research, and they often have a policy perspective that demonstrates the potential impact research can have on the court system. Designed to enhance understanding, the book includes a helpful ""How to Read a Research Article"" section before the first reading, as well as article introductions and discussion questions that capture students' interest and help them develop critical thinking skills. New to the Third Edition Ninety percent of the journal articles have been updated and introduce students to important topics, such as the effects of trial judges' sex and race, perceptions of plea bargaining, wrongful convictions, and the sentencing of drug offenders. New ""Current Controversy"" debates in each chapter highlight contentious issues in the courts, such as public defender caseloads, the impact of social media on criminal trials, and the need for more drug courts. A new ""Current Cases"" boxed feature elaborates on recent key court decisions and the impact they have had on issues such as defining ""effective"" counsel, racial bias in sentencing and jury deliberations, and the importance of judicial impartiality. Coverage of critical topics has been expanded throughout to introduce students to important issues, such as specialized courts, bail and pretrial release, the death penalty, and restorative justice. Statistics, graphs, and tables have all been updated to demonstrate the most recent trends in the court system.

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9781544307947

Table of Contents

Reviews

I would describe the text as a comprehensive discussion of important issues related to the processing of criminal cases. I would especially emphasize the authors' use of journal articles and the related questions in the development of the literature on criminal courts. --Jimmy J. Williams The book is a focused, well-written, and adequately resourced introductory text on the court system. --Anita Kalunta-Crumpton A combination of both research articles and text to understand the court system. The use of research articles increases the text's scholarly approach to criminal justice. --William R. Pruitt, J.D., Ph.D. This is a well-written and concise text that provides additional resources for students who are learning about the court system. --Lisa M. Olson

A combination of both research articles and text to understand the court system. The use of research articles increases the text's scholarly approach to criminal justice.--William R. Pruitt, J.D., Ph.D. I would describe the text as a comprehensive discussion of important issues related to the processing of criminal cases. I would especially emphasize the authors' use of journal articles and the related questions in the development of the literature on criminal courts.--Jimmy J. Williams The book is a focused, well-written, and adequately resourced introductory text on the court system.--Anita Kalunta-Crumpton This is a well-written and concise text that provides additional resources for students who are learning about the court system.--Lisa M. Olson

The book is a focused, well-written, and adequately resourced introductory text on the court system. --Anita Kalunta-Crumpton A combination of both research articles and text to understand the court system. The use of research articles increases the text's scholarly approach to criminal justice. --William R. Pruitt, J.D., Ph.D. I would describe the text as a comprehensive discussion of important issues related to the processing of criminal cases. I would especially emphasize the authors' use of journal articles and the related questions in the development of the literature on criminal courts. --Jimmy J. Williams This is a well-written and concise text that provides additional resources for students who are learning about the court system. --Lisa M. Olson

Author Information

Cassia Spohn is School Director and Foundation Professor of Criminal Justice at Arizona State University. She is the author of several books, including The Color of Justice: Race, Ethnicity, and Crime in America (with Sam Walker and Miriam DeLone) and How Do Judges Decide? The Search for Fairness and Equity in Sentencing. She has published a number of articles examining prosecutors' charging decisions in sexual assault cases and exploring the effect of race/ethnicity on charging and sentencing decisions. Her current research interests include the effect of race and gender on court processing decisions, victim characteristics and case outcomes in sexual assault cases, judicial decision making, sentencing of drug offenders, and the deterrent effect of imprisonment. In 1999, she was awarded the University of Nebraska Outstanding Research and Creative Activity Award. Craig Hemmens is a professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Washington State University. He holds a JD from North Carolina Central University School of Law and a PhD in criminal justice from Sam Houston State University. Professor Hemmens has published 20 books and more than 200 articles, many dealing with legal issues in criminal justice. He currently serves as editor of the Criminal Law Bulletin and previously served as the editor of the Journal of Criminal Justice Education and as president of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. His current research interests include criminal law and procedure. Wesley S. McCann is a Visiting Assistant Professor of criminology at The College of New Jersey. He holds a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice and Criminology from Washington State University and has published numerous articles dealing with criminal law and procedure, trial and appellate courts, legal scholarship in the field of criminal justice, and terrorism. His current research focuses on issues concerning hate crime and terrorism legislation, as well as the immigrant-crime relationship, and contemporary issues relating to immigration law and policy. His work has appeared in Terrorism and Politics, Criminal Justice Review, Criminal Law Bulletin, Journal of Criminal Justice Education, and various law reviews.

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