Additional copies of this guide are available from the Judicial Council. This guide describes Alaska's criminal justice system from the time an offender commits a crime to the offender's release from state supervision. It describes the movement of cases through the system and the roles played by various agencies. It also defines technical terms so that people who need to understand the system can follow the events in a particular case. This guide does not cover everything about criminal justice.
All cases are different, and laws often change.
This booklet is not a substitute for hiring a lawyer or working with a victim advocate. Most cases need special attention by an expert. Look in the section on resources to find out how to contact lawyers, victim advocates, and other agencies.