Ethics and Criminal Justice
An Introduction

This book shows students the main ethical questions that confront the criminal justice system, illustrated by a range of case studies.

John Kleinig (Author)

9780521864206, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 13 March 2008

294 pages
24.4 x 17 x 1.7 cm, 0.742 kg

'The writing has a care and clarity which places it firmly in the English-speaking tradition of philosophical ethics over the last 70 years. No generalisation remains unqualified, no argument lacks its counter-argument. … The primary use of this book will be for students, but anyone wishing to think through ethical issues in criminal justice will find it a useful and honest exposition of the liberal democratic (but realistic) ethical standpoint which continues largely to define the parameters of policy debate.' Prison Service Journal

This textbook looks at the main ethical questions that confront the criminal justice system - legislature, law enforcement, courts, and corrections - and those who work within that system, especially police officers, prosecutors, defence lawyers, judges, juries, and prison officers. John Kleinig sets the issues in the context of a liberal democratic society and its ethical and legislative underpinnings, and illustrates them with a wide and international range of real-life case studies. Topics covered include discretion, capital punishment, terrorism, restorative justice, and re-entry. Kleinig's discussion is both philosophically acute and grounded in institutional realities, and will enable students to engage productively with the ethical questions which they encounter both now and in the future - whether as criminal justice professionals or as reflective citizens.

Introduction
Part I. Criminalization: 1. Civil society: its institutions and major players
2. Crime and the limits of criminalization
3. Constraints on governmental agents
Part II. Policing: 4. Tensions within the police role
5. The burdens of discretion
6. Coercion and deception
Part III. Courts: 7. Prosecutors: seeking justice through truth?
8. Defence lawyers: zealous advocacy?
9. The impartial judge?
10. Juries: the lamp of liberty?
Part IV. Corrections: 11. Punishment and its alternatives
12. Imprisonment and its alternatives
13. The role of correctional officers
14. Re-entry and collateral consequences.

Subject Areas: Legal ethics & professional conduct [LATC], Crime & criminology [JKV], Ethics & moral philosophy [HPQ], Philosophy [HP]