9780534527112

DEBATING CRIME focuses on important controversies in the U.S. criminal justice system. It includes a variety of readings devoted to such hot topics as gun control, the death penalty, race and gender issues, prison privatization, and the war on drugs. Most issues are framed in an "opposing viewpoint" format, encouraging students to think more critically about these controversies.

Preface

xi

Introduction

1

(7)

Perspectives on Debating Crime

8

(27)

The Ideology of the Crime Debate

11

(8)

The Politics of the Crime Debate

19

(9)

The Sociology of the Crime Debate

28

(7)

Debating Crime and Guns

35

(17)

Does the Constitution Create a Right of Individuals to Bear Arms?

38

(6)

Should Gun Control Be Adopted?

44

(8)

Debating the Limits of Police Power

52

(20)

Is Excessive Use of Force a Systemic Problem?

56

(9)

Should the Exclusionary Rule Be Abolished?

65

(7)

Debating the Role of Crime Victims

72

(21)

Should States Lower the Legal Threshold for Drunk Driving?

75

(9)

Should Mandatory Arrest Policies in Domestic Violence Offenses Be Adopted?

84

(9)

Debating the Fairness of Courts

93

(21)

Are Sexual Assaults Against Women Underprosecuted?

96

(9)

Should Jurors Engage in Jury Nullification?

105

(9)

Debating Sentencing

114

(18)

Do Tough Sentences Reduce Crime?

117

(6)

Should the Death Penalty Be Abolished?

123

(9)

Debating ``Equal Justice Under Law'': Race and Gender

132

(22)

Race and Justice: Does the Criminal Justice System Discriminate Against Racial Minorities?

135

(10)

Gender and Justice: Is the Justice System Biased Against Women?

145

(9)

Debating Prisons

154

(22)

Should Prisons Be Privatized?

157

(10)

Should Parole Be Abolished?

167

(9)

Debating Juvenile Justice

176

(19)

Should Juvenile Offenders Be Tried and Punished As Adults?

179

(7)

Are Boot Camps an Effective Means of Dealing with Juvenile Crime?

186

(9)

Waging Holy War: Public Morals and Private Vices

195

(21)

Should the U.S. End the War on Drugs?

198

(9)

Should the Government Ban Cyberporn on the Internet?

207

(9)

Debating the Criminal Justice System

216

(23)

Is the Criminal Justice System a Failure?

220

(9)

Analyzing Criminal Justice Reforms

229

(10)

Appendix: Ground Rules for Proper Debating

239

(8)

References

247

(6)

Index

253

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Debating Crime With Infotrac: Rhetoric and Reality

Debating Crime With Infotrac: Rhetoric and Reality

0534527116

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