Film and television interpretations of the legal system have captured the imagination of the American public, but how does the law really work? And more specifically, how does it shape other social institutions and interact with other academic disciplines? Law, Justice, and Society: A Sociolegal Introduction offers a compelling overview of the law, its eventful history, and its sociological implications. In this unique collaborative effort, renowned scholars Anthony Walsh and Craig Hemmens draw from their own research and first-hand experiences to examine the origins of the law; the history and development of the American legal system; the sociology of law; court structure; and the difference between civil and criminal law. This text provides students with a deeper understanding of five primary topics: * The role of law in society * The courts, law making, and criminal substantive and procedural law * The rule of law (including due process) * Comparative law * The law's treatment of minorities and minors, including a chapter on the legal dynamics of race and ethnicity Mary K. Stohr, a respected scholar in feminist criminal justice, contributes a chapter on women and the law. Pedagogical features include photographs, tables, extensive chapter bibliographies, a glossary of terms, chapter summaries, discussion questions, and lists of key terms, concepts, and cases. Engaging and accessible, Law, Justice, and Society is a lively guide to a vital and ever-changing institution in which we are all potential participants.