Courts and Justice: A Reader

Now in its fourth edition, Courts and Justice: A Reader continues to generate a constructive approach to the social and political nature of the U.S. court system. This updated collection of 26 carefully selected readings explores the public's incorrect assumptions about the role and functions of the courts; media misrepresentations of its participants; and the ongoing conflict between citizens, professionals, and the executive branch over who should control the courts. In-depth material on areas of court study that are often overlooked, such as gender inclusion/bias, court administration, and wrongful convictions, highlights the debate over judicial independence, the need for accountability, and prosecutorial decision making. In a democratic society within a constitutional framework, who owns the courts? Is it those who may not fully understand its inner workings and processes, or those who apply its rules? Mays and Gregware provide a practical framework for an examination of court functions, problems, and issues that engenders a clearer understanding of basic civic theories and their subsequent effort to enhance the social good.