Allyn & Bacon / Prentice Hall

Criminal Justice



Justice Blind? Ideals and Realities of American Criminal Justice, 3/E
Matt Robinson, Eastern Kentucky University

ISBN-10: 0135147743
ISBN-13: 9780135147740

Publisher: Prentice Hall
Copyright: 2009
Format: Paper; 540 pp
Published: 02/07/2008

Suggested retail price: $61.33
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For courses in Introduction to Criminal Justice and Issues in Criminal Justice.

 

Unlike most other books in introduction to criminal justice, this book addresses both the ideals and the realities of American criminal justice agencies. Rather than just covering the traditional topics from the perspective of how things are supposed to be, this text compares these ideals with the realities of what is happening in the system today. With an emphasis on critical examination, it explores the criminal law, crime images and realities, the role that ideology and politics play in criminal justice practice, the components of criminal justice, and problematic policies and possible resolutions.

 

For courses in Introduction to Criminal Justice and Issues in Criminal Justice.

 

Unlike most other books in introduction to criminal justice, this book addresses both the ideals and the realities of American criminal justice agencies. Rather than just covering the traditional topics from the perspective of how things are supposed to be, this text compares these ideals with the realities of what is happening in the system today. With an emphasis on critical examination, it explores the criminal law, crime images and realities, the role that ideology and politics play in criminal justice practice, the components of criminal justice, and problematic policies and possible resolutions.

 

Hallmark Features

 

Offers a four-part organization–I. The Criminal Justice System: Ideals and Realities, II. Crime: Images and Realities, III. Components of Criminal Justice: Police, Courts and Corrections, IV. Failing Criminal Justice Policy and Hope for the Future.  

  • Organizes material into manageable sections for students. 

Considers the influences of politics and ideology on law making, policing, courts, and corrections–see Section I.

  • Focuses students attention on the crucial role of political and ideological factors in American criminal justice processes. 

Addresses the impact of mass media activities on criminal justice–see Section II.

  • Gives students a current look at how media shapes the criminal justice system. 

Addresses issues pertaining to race, ethnicity, social class and gender–throughout the book.

  • Raises important issues of bias and social inequality. 

Analyzes specific policies in criminal justice–such as the war on drugs, the death penalty and counter-terrorism policies.

  • Raises important issues regarding very specific policies that are currently in place. 

Offers recommendations for overcoming problems identified in the book–see Chapter 13.

  • Concludes with a series of 50 possible solutions for current issues and emphasizes ways to make the system more effective at reducing crime and achieving justice.

 

SECTION I: THE “CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM”: IDEALS AND REALITIES

 

Chapter 1 — What is the Criminal Justice System? Ideals

 

Chapter 2 — The Role of Politics and Ideology in Criminal Justice: Realities

 

Chapter 3 — The Law: Providing Equal Protection or Creating Bias?

 

 

SECTION II: CRIME: IMAGES AND REALITIES

 

Chapter 4 — Crime: Which is Worse, Crime on the Streets or Crime in the Suites?

 

Chapter 5 — “The Sky is Falling!  The Sky is Falling!”  Media Portrayals of Crime and Criminal Justice

 

 

SECTION III: COMPONENTS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE: POLICE, COURTS, AND CORRECTIONS

 

Chapter 6 — Law Enforcement: To Serve and Protect?

 

Chapter 7— Right to Trial?  Injustice in Pretrial and Trial Procedures

 

Chapter 8 — Punishment: Does it Work and is it Fair?

 

Chapter 9— Incarceration: Lock ‘Em Up and Forget About ‘Em

 

SECTION IV: BAD CRIMINAL JUSTICE POLICY AND HOW TO FIX THIS MESS

 

Chapter 10 — The Ultimate Sanction: Death as Justice?

 

Chapter 11 — The “War on Drugs”: Focusing on the Wrong Drugs?

 

Chapter 12 — The War on Crime as a Threat to Equality: Innocent Bias Against the Poor, People of Color, and Women

 

Chapter 13 — Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations for the Future

 

    For courses in Introduction to Criminal Justice and Issues in Criminal Justice.

    Unlike most other introductions to criminal justice—which cover the traditional topics from the perspective of how “things are supposed to be,” this text compares these ideals with the realities of criminal justice today and provides a critical interpretation of the role of race, ethnicity, and gender in criminal justice. Organized around a “planned change” approach, it provides a critical assessment of how well the system achieves its goals.

  • 0131137875Justice Blind? Ideals and Realities of American Criminal Justice, 2/E
    Robinson
    © 2005 | Prentice Hall | Paper; 480 pages | Instock
    ISBN-10: 0131137875 | ISBN-13: 9780131137875
    Brief Description

Matthew B. Robinson is Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice at Appalachian State University (ASU). He earned his Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the Florida State University in 1997. Robinson teaches and does research in the areas of criminological theory, the war on drugs, capital punishment, and injustices of the criminal justice system.  He has published more than 50 pieces of research, including 6 books: Justice Blind? Ideals and Realities of American Criminal Justice (Prentice-Hall, 2002, 2005), Why Crime? An Integrated Systems Theory of Antisocial Behavior (Prentice-Hall, 2004), Spatial Analysis of Crime: Theory and Practice (with Derek Paulsen, Allyn & Bacon, 2004), Lies, Damned Lies, and Drug War Statistics (State University of New York Press, 2007), and Death Nation: The Experts Explain American Capital Punishment (Prentice-Hall, 2008). He also has served as Board Member and President of the Southern Criminal Justice Association (SCJA).  Robinson was awarded the William C. Strickland Outstanding Young Scholar Award from Appalachian State University in 2002.

Justice Blind? Ideals and Realities of American Criminal Justice, 3rd Edition provides a thought-provoking critique of American criminal justice, one aimed at bringing about real-world change in our political and criminal justice agencies. 

  • “This text is an excellent example of critical criminology for introductory students.  The coverage of current issues is great, and Robinson injects the importance of factors such as politics and the media.  The text inspires critical thinking in students!”  Lisa Anne Zilney, Montclair State University
  • “Robinson provides a rigorous social commentary regarding social institutions and their roles in the criminal law making and criminal justice systems.  For example, the media as a player (rather than a reporter) in American criminal justice is new to many students, and this is a challenge that Robinson invites them to consider, with excellent information along the way.”  Demetra Pappas, Seton Hall University
  • “The book’s greatest strength is that it is more than just an introductory text.  It explains the [criminal justice] system and is realistically critical of it.”  Gary R. Perlstein, Portland State University
  • “I like the author’s willingness to challenge the conventional wisdom.  Critical criminology is crucial to the advancement of the field.”  Joan Crowley, New Mexico State University.

Justice Blind? Ideals and Realities of American Criminal Justice, 3rd Edition critically examines criminal justice and media processes including the political and ideological nature of law-making, crime, and terrorism.  Other topics include: policing, bail and plea bargaining, sentencing, punishment through incarceration and the death penalty, the war on drugs, and that role that race, class, and gender play in criminal justice.

View a Sample Chapter PDF:

For Introduction to Criminal Justice


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