As a primary text for courses on courts, or a supplementary text for general courses on the legal system, criminal justice, or law. Designed for courses in Criminal Justice/Administration of Justice, Sociology, Law & Society, Political Science, and interdisciplinary departments. The Courts in Our Criminal Justice System presents a unique historical context on the development, functions, and controversies in the courts system that is lacking in other courts texts. This book simultaneously presents the most current theory, research and examples on the topics. This broad, temporally inclusive approach to the study of the courts will help provide the "big picture" framework necessary for students to understand the modern American criminal courts process. The inclusive approach is also evident in its multidisciplinary approach, with political, sociological, legal and even psychological perspectives used as tools to illuminate courts and criminal justice processes. This text is intended to help students understand courts and court processes in context of the broader socio-political environment, rather than merely describing courts in terms of legal process and procedure.