justice, administration of

A debate-style reader introducing students to controversies in law, reflecting a variety of viewpoints.

Introduces the Judicial Branch of the United States government and how it works.

Examines the office of Attorney General of the United States describing its history and responsibilities, and profiles eight Attorneys General including William Wirt in 1772, Robert Kennedy in 1961, Janet Reno, the first female Attorney General, and others.

Text and color photos introduce the process of community lawmaking, explaining why rules are important and covering such topics as judges, town meetings, and citizens' rights and responsibilities.

Letters from and interviews with twenty-one children and teenagers who broke the law reveal what it is like to be arrested, attend legal proceedings, and be held accountable for one's actions.

Contains twenty-seven essays that offer varying perspectives on issues related to the legal system in the United States, including if it is in jeopardy, if it is effective or fair, and the role of the media; and provides discussion questions, contact information for organizations, and bibliographies.

Chronicles the case of William Macumber, a man who spent almost forty years in prison for a double homicide he denied committing, and examines the problems in the American judicial system.

Tells the stories of ten men who were convicted of crimes and sent to prison or death row, only to be proven innocent years later through DNA testing; and discusses the work of the Innocence Project, a task undertaken by two attorneys who are dedicated to freeing people who have been wrongly imprisoned.

Examines both sides of the debate over whether teens under the age of eighteen should be sentenced to death for committing murder.