American Criminal Courts—Legal Process and Social Context

U.S. criminal courts are constrained by several legal processes and organizational structures that determine how the they operate and how laws are applied. Part I of "American Criminal Courts: Legal Process and Social Context" explores how democratic processes develop criminal law in the United States the documents that de ne law, the organizational structure of courts at the federal and state levels, the overlapping authority of the appeals process, and the affects of legal processes such as precedent, jurisdiction, and the underlying legal philosophies of various types of courts.

Additionally, criminal courts are staffed by people who represent different domain perspectives, occupational pressures, and organizational goals. Thus, Part II includes chapters on actors in the traditional courtroom workgroup (judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, etc.) as well as those outside the court who seek to influence it, including advocacy groups, media, and politicians.

It is the interplay between the court legal processes and the social actors in the courtroom that makes the application of criminal law so fascinating. By focusing on the tension between the law and the actors inside of it, "American Criminal Courts: Legal Process and Social Context" demonstrates how the courts are a product of "law in action," and presents content in a way that enables you to understand not only the "how" of the U.S. criminal court system, but also the "why."
* Focuses on the way courts operate within the context of the broader criminal justice system. * Has a two-pronged approach of looking at the legal process -- how courts operate and how laws are applied, and who works in these courts and how they seek to influence them. * Five different types of boxed features look at how courts are portrayed in TV, film, and news; identify landmark due-process cases; illustrate situations in which the discretionary decision-making of the courts can be both good and bad. Examine procedures and how they work towards the ultimate goal of justice in our society, and highlight the various types of careers available within the criminal courts.

Casey Welch is an Associate Professor of Criminology and Sociology at Flagler College. He earned his Ph.D. and M.A. in Sociology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He earned his B.A. in Criminology and Law with a minor in Philosophy from the University of Florida. His research areas include social control, legal decision-making, homelessness, media, and pedagogy. He also works as a consultant with criminal court attorneys.

John Randolph Fuller brings both an academic and an applied background to his scholarship in criminology. Fuller received his Bachelor of University Studies degree from the University of New Mexico and his Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from the School of Criminology at Florida State University. Fuller has taught at the University of West Georgia since 1981 and has been recognized by students as a superior teacher and advisor. In 1991 he was named the College of Arts and Sciences Faculty Member of the Year, and in 2001 he was given Professor of the Year Award by the Honors College. In addition to numerous journal articles and book chapters, Fuller has published six books on topics ranging from juvenile delinquency to peacemaking criminology. He is a frequent presenter at meetings of both the American Society of Criminology and the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. Additionally, he serves as the Faculty Ombuds at the University of West Georgia, where he endeavors to resolve conflicts for faculty, students, and administrators.