With substance and style, Samaha helps students master the complexities of the criminal justice system and the law. His presentation engages students in active learning and encourages them to understand, rather than memorize. That students truly enjoy reading CRIMINAL JUSTICE is a testament to Samaha's skill as a teacher, writer, and scholar. Featuring a critical-thinking approach that encourages students to explore all sides of the criminal justice system, this thorough introduction draws students in and encourages them to learn more. Samaha provides students with an important and realistic understanding of the formal and informal dimensions of criminal justice: from there, they have the ideal framework to learn about the sociology, politics, economics, and law of the discipline.

Part I: CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

1. Criminal Justice in the United States.
2. Crime, Criminals, and Victims.
3. Explanations of Criminal Behavior.
4. Criminal Justice and the Law.

Part II: POLICE.

5. Missions and Roles of the Police.
6. Policing Strategies.
7. Police and the Law.

Part III: COURTS.

8. Courts and Courtroom Work Groups.
9. Proceedings Before Trial.
10. Trial and Guilty Pleas.
11. Sentencing.

Part IV: CORRECTIONS.

12. Community Corrections.
13. Prisons, Jails, and Prisoners.
14. Prison Life.

Part V: JUVENILE JUSTICE.

15. Juvenile Justice.

Appendix A. U.S. Bill of Rights.