American Courts in the Judicial Processexamines the many elements associated with the U.S. court system--its structure, function, and key actors. Rather than focusing on theory, author G. Larry Mays uses examples of the court in action, helping to demystify theory and make judicial processes immediately understandable. Concise and accessible,American Courts in the Judicial Processis ideal for courts courses that are taught out of criminal justice programs. FEATURES * Written by a seasoned author and renowned criminologist * Offers the most current scholarship * Organized in a logical progression of topics, beginning with a brief overview of court personnel (judges, lawyers, etc.) before delving into the different types of courts and procedures (pre-trial, trial, and post-trial judicial processes) * Contains distinctive pedagogy: » "What Works" and "What Doesn't Work" features comparing "law on the books" and "law in reality" » "In Their Own Words" boxes containing quotes from leading judges, lawyers, legal scholars, and others » "In the News" boxes discussing contemporary events » "World View" boxes covering international courts and legal systems * Discusses the major problems facing the American court system and also considers potential solutions SUPPORT PACKAGE *Instructor's Resource CDcontaining a Test Bank, sample syllabi, chapter outlines, and PowerPoint-based lecture slides *Companion Website (www.oup.com/us/mays)featuring a downloadable Student Study Guide, a variety of self-quizzes, and brief chapter summaries