Introduction to the Criminal Justice Process

This much enhanced second edition (October 2002) contains information as at September 2002, including the effect of the White Paper Justice for All. It is probably the only up-to-date treatment available. "Introduction to the Criminal Justice Process" has proved to be a highly popular work since first published in 1995, and is the flagship for the "Waterside Press Introductory Series". It looks at the whole system of criminal justice in England and Wales in outline, from the investigation of crimes and the arrest of suspects through court remands and other key preliminaries to trial, sentence (including an explanation of community sentences and the nature of imprisonment) and beyond. This book contains separate chapters on each the main criminal justice agencies setting out the roles, powers, duties and practices of each in a concise and accessible way.It covers everything from police, the Crown Prosecution Service, Criminal Defence Service, the courts, the National Probation Service, HM Prison Service and the private and voluntary sectors, with extensive information on victims, witnesses and restorative justice. Virtually everything that happens in the criminal justice process from start to finish is also covered. Unrivalled, the only book of its kind, and essential reading for everyone in this field. A step-by-step guide, including the roles of the agencies and practitioners concerned and all in one easy to read volume. An outline of the criminal process from before a crime is committed through arrest, trial, sentence and reintegration.This fully revised account is up-to-date as at September 2002 and describes: changes to the way criminal justice services are provided, managed and co-ordinated, including 'joining up'criminal justice; crime prevention and crime reduction as the focus of work by police, courts and others; the increased emphasis on victims, witnesses (including the Court Witness Service), reparation and restorative justice; the 're-branding' of the National Probation Service (NPS) and some community sentences, stricter enforcement strategies, partnership with HM Prison Service (HMPS) and the Correctional Services Board; the Criminal Defence Service and changes to 'legal aid'; key developments in legal/procedural rules; and, changes to police work including advances in technology and forensic science which are altering methods of investigation, detection and prosecution, community support officers and the Police Reform Act 2002. This book also describes: the use of drug-testing at key points in the criminal process; the increased reliance on surveillance techniques and electronic monitoring under court orders, including after release from prison under home detention curfew; the changed ethos generated by the MacPherson report following the murder of the black teenager Stephen Lawrence; the introduction of racially-based offences and sentencing criteria; the fair trial' (and other) provisions of the European Convention On Human Rights; and the policy focus on persistent offenders, harassment, anti-social behaviour, domestic violence and similar conduct; and, the work and role of the Youth Justice Board and the revised arrangements for youth justice, including youth offending teams (YOTs), youth offending panels (to deal with most 'first time' juvenile offenders), and police reprimands and warnings.This book also describes: the effect of prison overcrowding on prison regimes and the capacity of HMPS to maintain safe and humane conditions, and effective resettlement and crime reduction strategies - including R v. Kefford; the creation of the Assets Recovery Agency to trace and recover proceeds of crime; the fresh emphasis on 'working together' across the criminal process, starting with local crime reduction initiatives and then police/CPS Criminal Justice/Trial Units; the changing nature and responsibilities of some services and the increasing role of the private sector and voluntary sector; the Auld and Halliday reports and the likely impact of the White Paper, Justice For All; plus many other developments since the last edition of this highly successful work in 1995. This book provides probably the best treatment there is at this level.

About the Author :
Bryan Gibson is a barrister-at-law and a former a clerk to the justices.Paul Cavadino is chief executive of the National Association for the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Nacro), former secretary to the Parliamentary All-party penal Affairs Group and former chair of the Penal Affairs Consortium.David Faulkner teaches at the Oxford Centre for Criminal justice Research and is a former Deputy Secretary of State at the Home Office.

Review :
'Breadth and depth of knowledge comes through on every page ... a veritable encyclopaedia ... the perfect book for any new arrival in the world of criminal justice ... more than useful to most people already in the system ... [a] clear, concise account of most that falls within criminal justice. If you are anywhere in the system and people expect you to know the answers: read this book and you will know them!'Childrenlaw UK Newsletter