Ebook: Criminal Justice

The criminal justice system (CJS) is wide ranging: it covers crimes, policing, the sentencing of offenders, and prisons. Criminal Justice: A Very Short Introduction draws upon the latest research and current practices from various countries around the world. Focusing on the adversarial model of justice found in common law countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, it discusses topics such as the uses of imprisonment, the effects of capital punishment, and the purposes of sentencing. Considering the role of the victim throughout the CJS, as well as public knowledge and attitudes towards criminal justice, it critically assesses the way in which the system functions.