Criminal Justice Ethics

This collection of thought-provoking, easy-to-read essays articulates drastically different moral beliefs about the relationship between criminal justice and social justice, and the importance of ethical behavior of individuals working in the system. The essays--which include hypothetical cases as well as actual court opinions--show readers how moral beliefs are examined and defended, and encourage them to examine and defend their own positions. In many cases, the articles present different sides of an issue, often in the form of direct debates between experts (e.g., feminist scholar Catherine MacKinnon on prostitution law vs the International Committee for Prostitutes' Rights and its "World Whores' Congress Statements"; O.J. Simpson attorney Johnnie Cochran vs Yale Law Professor Akhil Reed Amar). Often includes articles that argue for unpopular or unusual positions. An introduction on ethical reasoning and ethics pedagogy is followed by sections on the nature of criminal guilt, law making, law enforcement, judicial processing, punishment and emerging issues (technology and media). Issues addressed include Drug Legalization; Prostitution; Corporate Violence; Hate Crimes; Abortion; Police Ethics; Deception & Influence; Selective Enforcement; Lawyers Ethics; Plea Bargaining & Due Process; Treatment of Inmates; Death Penalty; Cyberspace; and Media. Includes resources on professional Code of Ethics. For anyone involved in/with the criminal justice system.