Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice | Chapter 3 Preface
Rising crime rates during the 1980s led many Americans to demand that their political leaders do something to control crime. Politicians quickly discovered that passing laws requiring a mandatory minimum sentence for certain crimes— such as drug offenses, weapons violations, and murder—was very popular with voters. With the passage of these federal and state mandatory sentencing laws, criminals could no longer count on the leniency of the judge or mitigating circumstances to reduce their sentence.
Advocates of mandatory minimum sentences stress that the sentences are fair:...
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- Introduction
-
Chapter 1: Does the Criminal Justice System Need Reform?
- Chapter 1 Preface
- The Grand Jury System Needs Reform
- The Grand Jury System Does Not Need Reform
- All Accused Criminals Are Entitled to a Robust Defense
- Lawyers Are Not Obligated to Defend Guilty Clients
- Terrorists Should Be Tried in a Military Tribunal
- Terrorists Should Be Tried in the Criminal Justice System
- The Juvenile Justice System Discriminates Against Minorities
- The Juvenile Justice System Does Not Discriminate Against Minorities
- Chapter 1 Periodical Bibliography
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Chapter 2: Is the Prison System Effective?
- Chapter 2 Preface
- Prisons Are Responsible for the Drop in Crime Rates
- Factors Other than Prison May Be Responsible for the Drop in Crime Rates
- Drug Courts Reduce Recidivism
- Drug Courts Are Counterproductive
- Prisons Should Rehabilitate Inmates
- Prisons Should Punish Inmates
- Chapter 2 Periodical Bibliography
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Chapter 3: Should Sentencing Laws Be Reformed?
- Chapter 3 Preface
- Three-Strikes Laws Should Be Reformed
- Three-Strikes Laws Should Not Be Reformed
- Capital Punishment Should Be Abolished
- Capital Punishment Should Not Be Abolished
- Mandatory Minimum Sentences Are Ineffective in the War Against Drugs
- Mandatory Minimum Sentences Are Effective in the War Against Drugs
- Chapter 3 Periodical Bibliography
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Chapter 4: What Rights Should Be a Part of the Criminal Justice System?
- Chapter 4 Preface
- A Victims’ Rights Constitutional Amendment Is Necessary
- A Victims’ Rights Constitutional Amendment Is Unnecessary
- The Miranda Warning Impedes Law Enforcement
- The Miranda Warning Should Not Be Abolished
- The Exclusionary Rule Impedes Justice
- The Exclusionary Rule Should Not Be Abolished
- Chapter 4 Periodical Bibliography
- For Further Discussion
- Organizations to Contact
- Bibliography
- Copyright
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