The Courts in Our Criminal Justice System
This book presents a multidisciplinary  and contextualized discussion of the  nature and functions of courts in America. It helps readers understand the legal, political, and social/cultural environment within which courts operate, leading them to appreciate how the court system both reflects and shapes changes in society.Features:Provides wide coverage of court topicsEncourages critical thinking about courtsEnhances student interest in the subject by asking students to think about the issues from a first-person perspectiveThe organization provides a logical, flowing sequence of eventsPresents a unique historical context on the development, functions, and controversies in the court system that is lacking in other court texts, while simultaneously presenting current theory and research on the topicPresents a critical examination of courts from a socio-legal perspective as an institution that both reflects and shapes societal norms, dilemmas, and changesUses political, sociological, legal, and psychological perspectives as tools to illuminate courts and justice processesHelps readers understand courts and court processes in context of the broader socio-political environment, rather than describing courts solely in terms of legal process and procedure. This provides the "big picture" framework necessary to understand modern American courts"Boxes" in every chapter provide in-depth examples to complement the main text