Introduction to Criminal Justice

This text offers a accessible description of the criminal justice process. It provides an introduction to the criminal justice system, with balanced coverage of the issues presented by each facet of the process, including a thorough review of practices and controversies in law enforcement, the criminal courts, and corrections.

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Introduction to Criminal Justice, Tenth Edition, offers a student-friendly description of the criminal justice process—outlining the decisions, practices, people, and issues involved. It provides a solid introduction to the mechanisms of the criminal justice system, with balanced coverage of the issues presented by each facet of the process, including a thorough review of practices and controversies in law enforcement, the criminal courts, and corrections.

In this revision, Edwards updates the statistics and research findings throughout. New sections include the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the recent shift to NIBRS crime reporting, and the increasing attacks on the legitimacy of the criminal justice system. This edition has also expanded coverage of police use of force and technological improvements. Selected chapters now include a case study box to demonstrate how certain laws, programs, and technologies have been used in particular situations.

Appropriate for all U.S. criminal justice programs, this text offers great value for students and instructors.