The American Criminal "Justice System": Urgent Call for an Overhaul

The book deals with the many problems we have with our Criminal "Justice System", and the injustices it creates for the poor and disadvantaged classes. From the inadequacies in the police force, to the accepted pattern of behavior in the Courts, that further treat people in partial and unequal manner, to the drastic situations in our Prison System, are all covered with reference to reliable data, and cogent argument. The questionable issue of Bail, the shocking, prevalent misuse of Plea Bargaining, as well as the unethical manipulation of the Jury System, at times to make it an instrument of injustice in the hands of clever attorneys, are also discussed convincingly. The question is raised whether all kinds of behavior that are labeled as "Criminal" are always detrimental to the will and interests of public majority, or concepts created and fostered on the basis of class differentiation and interest. Also the question of "responsibility" is sufficiently discussed to see whether we can really punish offenders on account of their personal responsibility, or we are doing this, partly because we want to avoid our own fault in creating and maintaining a social atmosphere that breeds unconventional, at times violent, behavior. With reference to all these subjects the author offers possible resolutions, in view of what other civilized nations have achieved in the realm of crime and punishment.