The premier choice for Courts courses for decades, this popular text offers a comprehensive explanation of the courts and the criminal justice system, presented in a streamlined, straightforward manner that appeals to instructors and students alike. Neubauer and Fradella's crisp and clear writing, characterized by the organization of material into brief sections within chapters, ensures that readers gain a firm handle on the material. At the same time, the text's innovative 'courtroom workhouse' model, which focuses on the interrelationships among the judge, prosecutor, and defense attorney, brings the courtroom to life. AMERICA'S COURTS AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM has long been known for the way it gives students an accurate glimpse of what it is like to work within the American criminal justice system, and the Twelfth Edition is no exception.

Author Biography

David William Neubauer has taught at the University of Florida, at Washington University in St. Louis, and most recently at the University of New Orleans. In addition to this best-selling text, he is the author of DEBATING CRIME: RHETORIC AND REALITY, and BATTLE SUPREME: THE CONFIRMATION OF CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN ROBERTS AND THE FUTURE OF THE SUPREME COURT, both from Wadsworth. His articles have appeared in a wide array of scholarly journals, including Law and Society Review, Judicature, Policy Studies Journal, and Law and Policy Quarterly. Dr. Neubauer's current research interests include nominations to the Supreme Court and religion in public life. Henry F. Fradella is a Professor in and Associate Director of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Arizona State University. He earned a B.A. in psychology from Clark University, both a master's in forensic science and a J.D. from The George Washington University, and a Ph.D. in interdisciplinary justice studies from Arizona State University. In addition to having published more than 80 scholarly articles, comments, and reviews, Dr. Fradella is the author of ten other books, including two published by Wadsworth: AMERICA'S COURTS AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM and CRIMINAL PROCEDURE FOR THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROFESSIONAL. Dr. Fradella has twice served as a guest editor of the Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice and as the Legal Literature editor of West's Criminal Law Bulletin for four terms (Volumes 41-44). A fellow of the Western Society of Criminology, he served as the editor of the society's journal, Criminology, Criminal Justice, Law & Society from December 2013 through April 2017. He teaches a variety of courses, including criminal law, criminal procedure, courts and judicial processes, and forensic psychology.