Examination of the available literature regarding the development of the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool-Criminal Adjudication (MacCAT-CA) reveals 2 theoretical factor structures on which the MacCAT-CA was based: one in which 3 lower-order constructs are proposed (understanding, reasoning, appreciation) and one in which 2 higher-order…

This study is a quantitative analysis designed to compare two groups of factually innocent capital defendants: those who were exonerated and those who were executed. There are a total of 97 cases in the sample, including 81 exonerations and 16 executions. The primary objective of the authors is to identify factors that may predict case outcomes…

Tennesseans were surveyed concerning criminal justice issues. The survey contained questions concerning punishment of criminals, fear of crime, effectiveness of the criminal justice system, history as a victim of crime, and public attitudes on several criminal justice issues, juvenile issues, and child abuse issues. The sample was randomly…

For most people, law and the courts are veiled in mystery. Even though the law is made by legislators elected by the public and interpreted by judges chosen directly or indirectly by the public, and even though great strides have been made in making the law and its special language more understandable to people, the general public is still often…

The goals and standards for pretrial release and diversion are designed to provide guidance and direction to individuals working in the criminal justice system. The materials in this collection deal with the following areas of concern: (1) enrollment diversion guidelines for eligibility; (2) services for participants; (3) dismissal policies; (4)…

The study involving 100 police officers, 75 lawyers, and 35 judges was designed to investigate and analyze the criminal justice system (CJS) personnel's understanding of mental retardation and the mentally retarded (MR) offender. Among findings obtained from responses to questionnaires were the following: 65% of the respondents indicated they…

The report begins with a discussion of rape and its victims. It proceeds to more technical information about the filing, preliminary hearings and grand juries, plea bargaining, trial preparation, trial and sentencing information which is geared towards the prosecutor. Finally, the report concludes with appendices presenting sample forms for…

Presented in this report are ten recommendations regarding the ethical dilemmas faced by psychologists working with police, court, correctional, and juvenile justice agencies. Both ethical issues that the criminal justice system creates for psychologists and those that psychologists create for the criminal justice system are addressed. (Author/EB)

Aliens involved in criminal offenses may first be denied admission to this country, and for those already here, they may be deported on conviction for prescribed criminal violations. The article presents some of the provisions for aliens involved in criminal offenses. (Author/NQ)

Examines four recent Supreme Court decisions. The decisions involve Miranda rights, alleged Fourth Amendment violations (good faith exception and vehicle searches), and the right to confront witnesses. (BSR)

The exclusionary rule says that any evidence illegally seized by law enforcement officials cannot be admitted in a criminal proceeding. Discussed are where the rule came from, how it works, and the arguments for and against it. (RM)

Following an analysis of the major forces for institutional change confronting the juvenile courts, and a review of recent federal and state responses likely to promote further modifications in the present system, the author discusses a modified system capable of accommodating demands for basic alterations of juvenile justice. (Author)

Discusses potential obstacles involved when interviewing child victims of sexual abuse, including risks of false allegations and the interviewer's difficulty in maintaining true objectivity. Underlines importance of tailoring whole procedure to child's developmental level. Examines Statement Validity Analysis, advocating the need to approach this…

The justice studies program at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) is designed to produce a new breed of justice practitioners whose understanding of justice and its administration is broadened to include the political, social, economic, and cultural conditions within which issues of crime and punishment are pursued and addressed. While it…

Prosecutorial misconduct involves the intentional use of illegal or improper methods for attaining convictions against defendants in criminal trials. Previous research documented extensive errors in the prosecution of severe crimes. A theory formulated to explain this phenomenon proposes that in serious cases, increased pressure to convict…