The Law

To deter crime, punish criminals, and uphold order, society creates and enforces laws. The Law explains the principles of criminal law, their history and roots, and how they have been applied in the United States. Beginning with a definition of what the law is, this book discusses how and why laws are made and enacted and looks at local, state, and federal laws and how they interact. It examines how legal principles are applied to specific types of crime and how legal precedents are set. Case studies highlight how laws have evolved to respond to emerging types of crime as well as specific concerns, such as how the law should be applied to juveniles versus adults.

The Criminal Justice set takes readers on a step-by-step journey through crime, law enforcement, and criminal justice with a focus on these subjects in the United States of America. Each volume explains a major facet of crime and punishment and places it in context of the criminal justice system as a whole. Through historical and statistical facts combined with "you-are-there" case studies, this set will help readers understand crime, why and how laws are made and enforced, and the key social and political issues connected to criminal justice.