A History of Crime and Criminal Justice in America

This new text provides an overview of the origin and development of the American criminal justice system from the arrival of the first settlers during the Colonial period into the twenty first century. Systematically organized, each chapter begins with an overview of the political, economic, social and cultural forces that shaped society within each time period. The authors then present a history of ordinary crime as well as extraordinary high profile criminal acts. The authors use this discussion of historical context and crime as a foundation to describe and analyze the development and impact of police, law, courts, corrections, and juvenile justice.