Procedures in the Justice System

For courses in criminal procedure.

From arrest to sentencing: A comprehensive guide to criminal procedure
Procedures in the Justice System presents the judicial procedures of criminal cases in plain language and a concise format suitable for a one-semester course. In addition to detailing legal rules, it considers why we have laws and why those laws are broken, the constitutional rights of the accused, and the philosophy of correctional endeavors. The 12th edition has new content on victim impact statements and expanded discussion of legal procedures, while continuing to use actual court cases to show the real implications of the judicial process for enforcers and offenders alike.

Cliff Roberson, LLM, PhD, is an emeritus professor of criminal justice at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, and a retired professor of criminology at California State University in Fresno. He has authored or co-authored more than 60 books and texts on legal subjects.

His previous academic experiences include Associate Vice-President for Academic Affairs, Arkansas Tech University; Dean of Arts and Sciences, University of Houston, Victoria; Director of Programs, National College of District Attorneys; Professor of Criminology and Director of Justice Center, California State University, Fresno; and Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, St. Edward’s University.

Dr. Roberson’s non-academic experience includes US Marine Corps service as an infantry officer, trial and defense counsel, military judge as a marine judge advocate, and director of the military law branch. Other legal employment experiences include Trial Supervisor, Office of State Counsel for Offenders, Texas Board of Criminal Justice, and judge pro-tem in the California courts.

Dr. Roberson is admitted to practice before the US Supreme Court, US Court of Military Appeals, US Tax Court, federal courts in California and Texas, the Supreme Court of Texas, and the Supreme Court of California. His educational background includes a PhD in human behavior from the US International University; an LLM in criminal law, criminology, and psychiatry from George Washington University; a JD from American University; a BA in political science from the University of Missouri; and one year of postgraduate study at the University of Virginia School of Law.

Robert Winters, JD, holds a juris doctorate degree and has been with Purdue Global University (formerly Kaplan University) since 2004, where he currently serves as a full-time faculty member in the criminal justice department of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Prior to his current position, Robert served as a department academic chair, assistant dean of faculty, and assistant dean of curriculum (interim) for both the graduate and undergraduate schools of criminal justice. Robert also served four terms as faculty senate president and has led or served on multiple academic and steering committees during his tenure. In addition to his work on the faculty senate, Robert currently serves as a member of the Center for Teaching & Learning Advisory and the General Education Literacy committees.

Robert has four published textbooks in the criminal justice field and, with over 25 published articles, is a regular contributor to Corrections.com. Originally from Chicago, IL, Robert previously resided in southern California and now lives in Scottsdale, AZ.

1. An Introduction to the Justice System
2. Search and Seizure
3. Arrest and Custody
4. Law Enforcement and the Citizen on the Street
5. Privilege Against Compulsory Self-Incrimination
6. Initial Appearance and Arraignment
7. Assistance of Counsel
8. Pretrial Motions, Hearings, and Plea Negotiations
9. Courtroom Evidence
10. Jury
11. Trial Procedure
12. Deliberation of the Jury and the Verdict
13. Sentencing and Appeals
14. Collateral Proceedings and Writs

Appendices
A. Outline of Trial Procedure
B. Motion for the Production and Inspection of Evidence and Information That May Lead to Evidence
C. Procedures for Filing for a Writ of Habeas Corpus