Criminal Courts : Structure, Process, and Issues

Unlike other available books on the subject, this introduction to criminal courts is shorter and more concise — yet more comprehensive— and is extensively illustrated with interesting examples and up-to-date factual information. It explores in detail the origin, evolution, and emergence of the three major components of contemporary criminal courts in the United States — law enforcement; prosecution and the courts; and corrections. Considers media impact on juries and trial outcomes -- focusing on several “trials of the century” ,including the Menendez brothers, O.J. Simpson, John Scopes, and Bruno Richard Hauptmann. Explains jury consultants and jury member selection techniques. Features a detailed discussion of eyewitness testimony. Discusses plea bargaining and pleas bargaining issues. Details sentencing schemes and sentencing issues. For anyone interested in the contemporary criminal court system in the U.S.