Who Shaped the American Criminal Justice System? Innovators and Pioneers features the work of seminal thinkers such as Founding Father James Madison, former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation J. Edgar Hoover, and famed attorney Clarence Darrow, the defense lawyer in the Scopes Monkey Trial.

The thoughts and writing of these contributors to the American tradition of criminal justice enlighten readers about its long history, and provide insight into the biases that are inherent within a system that dates back to 1619. Students learn about key figures in law enforcement, corrections, the courts, popular culture, and criminological theory, whose personal biographies are intertwined with their criminal justice achievements.

Each section of the text features a bulleted summary to support retention, a list of references for further study, and questions to facilitate discussion or serve as writing prompts. With a fresh approach that enhances the human interest side of the subject matter while providing foundational information Who Shaped the American Criminal Justice System is well-suited to courses in American legal history, criminal justice, and criminology.