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New!

Criminal Justice in America, 11th Edition

George F. Cole, Christopher E. Smith, Christina DeJong

  • {{checkPublicationMessage('Available 16 February 2026', '2026-02-16T00:00:00+0000')}}
Starting At $189.95 See pricing and ISBN options
Criminal Justice in America 11th Edition by George F. Cole/Christopher E. Smith/Christina DeJong

Overview

Introduce students to the foundations, key components and pressing controversies of the modern U.S. criminal justice system with "Criminal Justice in America," 11th Edition. This interdisciplinary text draws from criminology, sociology, law, history, psychology and political science to provide a comprehensive, thought-provoking overview of the field. Students critically examine evolving police practices, systemic discrimination, incarceration trends, landmark court decisions and the impact of emerging technologies. New Career Connections profiles spotlight real-world roles and career pathways. Integrated with MindTap, students engage with audiocasts, career scenarios, auto-graded quizzes and mission-critical examples to reinforce learning and prepare them for success in criminal justice careers.

George F. Cole

The late George F. Cole was professor emeritus of political science at the University of Connecticut. He was recognized for outstanding teaching and research and in 1995 was named a fellow of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. A specialist in the administration of criminal justice, Dr. Cole published extensively on such topics as prosecution, courts and corrections. He also developed and directed the graduate corrections program at the University of Connecticut and was a fellow at the National Institute of Justice (1988). Among his other accomplishments, Dr. Cole was granted two awards under the Fulbright-Hays Program to conduct criminal justice research in England and the former Yugoslavia.

Christopher E. Smith

Christopher E. Smith is Professor of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University (MSU). He earned degrees at Harvard University, the University of Bristol (England), the University of Tennessee, and the University of Connecticut. Trained as a lawyer and social scientist, he is the author of 25 books and more than 120 scholarly articles on law, courts, and criminal justice policy. He has been recognized as an outstanding teacher with MSU's "Teacher-Scholar Award" and "Social Science Alumni Association Outstanding Teaching Award." His other books with Cengage Learning include CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN AMERICA, 9th Edition, LAW AND CONTEMPORARY CORRECTIONS, CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS: MYTHS AND REALITIES, and CRIMINAL PROCEDURE.

Christina DeJong

Christina DeJong is an associate professor of criminal justice at Michigan State University. She earned her Ph.D. in criminal justice and criminology at the University of Maryland and her B.A. in sociology from the University of Texas at Austin. Her scholarly research on topics such as genocide, recidivism, domestic violence and police-community interactions has been published in numerous journals, including Criminology, Justice Quarterly, Feminist Criminology and The Journal of Family Violence. Dr. DeJong's current research focuses on gender and sexuality issues in criminology and criminal justice as well as violence against women in conflict and genocide. A member of the Michigan State University faculty since 1994, she has taught courses on research methods, statistical analysis, genocide and women and criminal justice. She is also a co-author of Cengage Learning’s THE AMERICAN SYSTEM OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE.
  • Clear Learning Objectives at chapter openings and under main headings align with summaries and test bank questions to ensure comprehension and mastery.
  • Career Connections boxes link chapter topics to 16 criminal justice careers, offering insights, responsibilities and practical advice for students.
  • Updated examples, case studies and chapter-opening vignettes reflect current events, trends and issues, promoting relevance and critical analysis.
  • MindTap digital resources support learning with audiocasts, career scenarios, auto-graded quizzes and customizable learning tools to reinforce concepts and application.
  • Interdisciplinary approach integrates criminology, law, sociology, psychology and political science for deeper insights and understanding.
  • Extensive updates to data, research and references ensure accuracy and currency across all chapters for informed teaching and learning.
  • Coverage of historical and contemporary cases, including landmark Supreme Court decisions, enriches context and supports discussion.
  • Expanded discussion on social science theories, legal concepts and policies promote critical thinking and application.
Part I: CRIME AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
1. The Criminal Justice System.
2. Crime and Crime Causation.
3. Criminal Justice and the Rule of Law.
Part II: POLICE.
4. Police.
5. Policing: Contemporary Issues and Challenges.
6. Police and Law.
Part III: COURTS.
7. Courts and Adjudication.
8. Pretrial Procedures, Plea Bargaining, and the Criminal Trial.
9. Punishment and Sentencing.
Part IV: CORRECTIONS.
10. Corrections.
11. Incarceration and Prison Society.
12. Probation and Intermediate Sanctions.
Part V: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE.
13. Reentry into the Community.
14. Juvenile Justice.
15. Current Challenges in Criminal Justice.

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  • ISBN-10: 8214131081
  • ISBN-13: 9798214131085
  • RETAIL $189.95