Criminal Justice: A Very Short Introduction

Very Short Introductions #441

by Julian V. Roberts

The criminal justice system is wide ranging; from the crimes themselves and policing to the sentencing of offenders and prisons. In this Very Short Introduction Julian V. Roberts draws upon the latest research and current practices from a number of different 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, he 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 criminal justice system, as well as public knowledge and attitudes towards criminal justice, Roberts critically assesses the way in which the system functions and its importance around the world. ABOUT THE The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Genres: Nonfiction, Law, Crime

160 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2015

Reviews

[Mayze · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview, but at times unbalanced. I wish the author had articulated some of the downsides to developments in policing (for instance, his praise of electronic monitoring was very one sided) and alternate explanations for some trends (high rates of recidivism are typically not for reoffending, as the author would have you believe, but rather for technical parole and probation violations). Still, a helpful introduction for someone without much knowledge in the field.

[Rushmi Sethi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bland biased introduction to the criminal justice system, with long-winded debates about the use of imprisonment and the effects of capital punishment, the purposes of sentencing and how it affects the crime victim and a conclusion of the future of the criminal justice system. Having read this book twice I did like the insights into Criminology law on a global basis which were the highlight of this book for me personally when I did pro bono work in real life in legal practice in the UK, the EU and the USA. I had to buy this book after it was stolen by corrupt local police officers mostly now fired by the Home Office in London for being racist unprofessional thieves or corrupt Northamptonshire NHS admin staff who were each fired so they had stolen this book which I had re-bought.