Courts and Justice: A Reader

Most citizens do not understand much about courts, and their knowledge often is based on inaccurate media representations. Many cannot articulate basic civic theories about the role of court personnel, such as lawyers and judges, and about the role of courts in enhancing the social good. Courts and Justice, 3/E explores two major themes. The first is the political nature of courts, which is usually more hidden from the public eye than is the case of the legislative or executive branches of government. The second theme asks, Who owns the courts? This updated third edition contains 27 authoritative selections—including six new articles—that provide information on the function of courts and on the underlying conflicts that impair the level of justice that courts can contribute to our society. The well-chosen essays combine to offer a multifaceted perspective on often-overlooked areas of court study.