Criminal Law: Notable Books in Main Collection

In a panoramic history of our criminal justice system from Colonial times to today, one of our foremost legal thinkers shows how America fashioned a system of crime and punishment in its own image.

This book was among the first to apply empirical social science research as an analytical tool for understanding the reasoning behind the holdings in American criminal courts. Dr. Smith's background as a practicing attorney and a Doctor of Criminology found her particularly well-positioned to answer questions such as whether the death penalty is racially discriminatory or an effective deterrent, whether six-person and twelve-person juries differ, whether mandatory arrest policies reduce domestic violence, and so forth. The resulting book is impressive in its scope; Dr. Smith applies her research in a huge range of contexts.

Racial bias in the U.S. criminal justice system is much debated and discussed, but until now, no single volume has covered the full expanse of the issue. In Bias in the Law, sixteen outstanding experts address the impact of racial bias in the full roster of criminal justice actors. They examine the role of legislators crafting criminal justice legislation, community enforcers, and police, as well as prosecutors, criminal defense attorneys, judges, and jurors. Understanding when and why bias arises, as well as how it impacts defendants requires a clear understanding how each of these actors operate. Contributions touch on other crucial topics--racialized drug stigma, legal technology, and interventions--that are vital for understanding how the United States has reached this moment of stark racial disparity in incarceration. The result is an important entry into understanding the pervasiveness of racial bias, how such bias impacts legal outcomes, and why such impact matters. This is an issue that is as relevant today as it was fifty--or even one hundred fifty--years ago, and collection editors Joseph Avery and Joel Cooper provide a glimpse at how to proceed. today as it was fifty--or even one hundred fifty--years ago, and collection editors Joseph Avery and Joel Cooper provide a glimpse at how to proceed. today as it was fifty--or even one hundred fifty--years ago, and collection editors Joseph Avery and Joel Cooper provide a glimpse at how to proceed. today as it was fifty--or even one hundred fifty--years ago, and collection editors Joseph Avery and Joel Cooper provide a glimpse at how to proceed.