Critical Issues in Crime and Justice

"Critical Issues in Crime and Justice is one of the most timely and informative textbooks I've seen. It provides an excellent overview of the most current challenges facing the criminal justice system today. I highly recommend it."

-- Joseph Caruso, Hudson Valley Community College

"This is the most significant criminal justice book of original works published in the current decade. It provides valuable information on policies, practices, and model programs in order to reduce the skyrocketing number of violent offenders and victims. It is the only book that includes the latest information on how to effectively intervene and remedy the violent crime problem."

-- Eric W. Hickey, California State University, Fresno

"Critical Issues in Crime and Justice is a fascinating blueprint for the criminal justice system of the future, an invaluable reference tool for progressive police executives, and an excellent teaching platform for all levels of criminal justice education."

-- Deputy Police Chief Thomas W. Finn, MPA, Director of Public Safety, East Brunswick, New Jersey

"Dr. Roberts has compiled an invaluable resource that can be used in a multitude of courses in undergraduate and graduate programs. The essays address significant, critical and timely issues in criminal justice, and as such, the book is a must-read for criminal justice practitioners, students, and anyone with an interest in criminal justice."

-- Dr. Laura J. Moriarty, Virginia Commonwealth University

"Dr. Albert R. Roberts is one of America's leading authorities on criminology and criminal justice, and the Second Edition of his Critical Issues in Crime and Justice is most welcome. The Second Edition provides extremely important and timely information on a host of issues that are relevant to students in criminal justice, social work, criminology, political science, law, and related fields. This book is an excellent text and will be extremely popular with scholars, practitioners, and students."

-- John E.B. Myers, University of the Pacific



In an effort to respond to public fears of violence, terrorism, murder, and other victimizations, the components of the criminal justice system are constantly in flux. Since the 1994 publication of the first edition of Critical Issues in Crime and Justice, there have been many dramatic changes in the trends, policies, processes, and programs in the criminal justice system.

Critical Issues in Crime and Justice, Second Edition provides a comprehensive examination of current developments and controversies confronting the American criminal justice system. An overview of contemporary criminal justice trends provides the context for interpreting the critical issues raised throughout this engaging volume. Editor Albert R. Roberts and a prominent group of scholars and criminal justice professionals examine both the successes and failures of modern law enforcement, juvenile justice, the courts, and correctional systems.

This Second Edition has been extensively revised to include:

A review of current crime statistics
The growth of juvenile gangs and youth homicide
International perspectives on terrorism and counterterrorism
New data and perspectives on domestic violence
An examination of 21st-century homicide investigations
Significant issues in capital punishment
Innovations in probation and rehabilitation
Critical Issues in Crime and Justice, Second Edition includes summaries of the latest government reports, legislation, legal remedies, research findings, program evaluations, journal review articles, and meta-analyses. This expanded edition contains numerous unique chapters on cutting-edge issues and topics. Chapter authors provide policy and mod