The twelfth edition of Criminal Justice Essentials provides a comprehensive, but accessible, overview of U.S. criminal justice systems. Anchored within the framework of the legal system and using legal decisions as a basis for much of its direction, Sue Titus Reid offers an authoritative overview of the law enriched with real life examples of criminal justice systems in action. The text is divided into five easily manageable sections (Part I: Introduction to Criminal Justice Systems; Part II: Entry into Criminal Justice Systems: Policing; Part III: Processing a Criminal Case: Criminal Court Systems; Part IV: Confinement and Corrections; and Part V: Juvenile Justice: A Special Case) that allows for a meaningful learning experience for students.

This edition has been significantly updated and verified to reflect the latest research, cases, and current events (such as the COVID-19 Pandemic and recent national conversations about policing tactics) as they relate to the study of criminal justice. All legal citations, including cases and statutes, were checked to determine whether they had been altered or overruled by subsequent legislation or court decisions. Helpful student aids such as learning objectives, end-of-chapter study questions, and a Focus Box appear in every chapter.

Written with student engagement as a primary focus, this text is one of the most thorough, legally accurate, and best-researched introductions to U.S. criminal justice systems available.