With the criminal justice system assuming an increasingly integral role in everyday society, it becomes important for us to understand how we address crime in society. This book provides readers with an explanation of the criminal justice system and criminal case processing in a brief an affordable format. It is organized according to the steps of the criminal justice system and examines entry into the system; processing and pretrial procedures; trials, sentencing and appeals; and corrections.  Colored with point/counterpoint debates, an ongoing case study, and critical-thinking exercises, the author explores how the criminal justice system functions and provides a clear understanding of how cases are processed within this system.