Foundations of Criminal Justice

What is law? What is deviance? What is justice? How is justice achieved through law, punishment, and criminal justice agencies? Foundations of Criminal Justice addresses these issues utilizing a distinctive "foundations" approach. This unique approach provides students with the framework and the intellectual tools they need in order to critically analyze and evaluate the nature, sources, scope, purposes, and practical limitations of the criminal justice system. The only introductory survey text that moves beyond a description of the criminal justice system, Foundations of Criminal Justice helps students understand the role of criminal justice in their lives as criminal justice practitioners and as active citizens.DISTINCTIVE FEATURES* Provides practical, real world examples that allow students to connect theoretical ideas to actual practice in criminal justice agencies* Draws on an interdisciplinary body of theory and current research, employing concepts from sociology, policy theory, psychology, legal theory, and philosophy* Explores key issues including the role of morality and legal philosophy in the construction of law; the nature of deviance, social control, and criminal behavior; perspectives on the concept of justice (criminal, civil, social, and individual); the role of criminal procedure, criminal law, and criminal punishment; and the operations and limitations* Offers rich pedagogical features including a "Case Study" feature at the beginning of each chapter exploring real life situations; a "Focus Question" at the opening of each section that provides a framework for the forthcoming chapters; end of chapter "Criminal Justice Problem Solving" features examining issues and ongoing struggles within the field; and a "Photo Essay" at the opening of each unit that draws students into the material in an exciting, visual format