Abstract
This paper looks at how drug courts treat drug addicts as opposed to law courts. The paper explains how law courts send drug offenders to prison where few receive treatment, while drug courts send drug addicts for treatment.

From the Paper
"Several places across the country are now using drug courts rather than criminal courts to process non-violent drug offenders, to offer them treatment rather than imprisonment. The prisons are becoming so overcrowded since the war on drugs began, and most of this is due to those who have committed minor drug offenses such as possession of small amounts of marijuana or crack cocaine. Worcester in MD has one of the most successful alternative programs to imprisonment, funded by the state, which is proving..."

Tags:drugs, treatment, incarceration, Law, courts, addicts

Abstract
The title of this essay, On Judges, Juries, and the Courts, speaks well to the subject matter of the essay. It deals with the role of judges in the legal system, the role of juries, and the changing role of the courts in modern American society. It is more a discussion of the ideas which hold the judicial system together than an account of specific points about the system.

From the Paper
ON JUDGES, JURIES, AND THE COURTS 1. Describe the background and functions of a judge. Who are they? How do they become judges? What functions do they play in the smooth operations of the formal legal system? The judiciary in Florida consists of two independent bodies of judges: state judges and federal judges. Federal judges, ranging from the judges of the trial court judges (designated "district courts") to the justices of the United States Supreme Court are appointed by the President, subject to confirmation by the United States Senate. State judges are selected through various means ranging from gubernatorial

Tags:judges, juries, courts

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses the incarceration of the mentally ill and the development of specialty courts that handle cases of the mentally ill offender. The writer looks at the incarceration and treatment of mentally ill criminals as a social problem.

From the Paper
"Mental disorders have become increasingly common in the United States but their prevalence among individuals in the criminal justice system is estimated to be three times the rate of the general population and evidence also suggests that convicts are more ..."

Tags:mentally ill, criminals, social workers, specialty courts, incarceration

Abstract
This paper offers a book review of the courts by Ian Greene. The review is not simply a summary of the book, instead, it looks at the major arguments and provides an overall assessment of the book.

From the Paper
"The roles and functions of the courts in democratic countries has always been an important issue. In "The Courts" Ian Greene examines the relationship between courts and democracy in Canada. In "The Courts", Greene conducts an audit of the Canadian courts to see how democratic they are. For his audit, Green uses three major criteria. These criteria are: participation, inclusiveness and responsiveness. Greene tries to involve as many potential participants as possible in his audit. The participants include judges, lawyers, litigants, court staff, policy analysts and academics. With this broad range of participants..."

Tags:courts, canada, review

Abstract
This paper discusses how today's jurisprudence systems reflect the ideal of maintaining Constitutional rights in regards to personal freedoms, while courts maintain order based on society's moral values. The author argues that America's justice system is flawed, and for any reform to be attained it is up to the people and policy-makers to challenge and question the system.

From the Paper
"Every independent country has its own legal system, from the most primitive people, to the most advanced societies. The systems vary according to each country's social traditions and form of government. Most systems can be classified as either a common law system or a civil-law system. Most English-speaking countries have a common-law legal system, which have laws for civil acts and criminal acts (World Book, 2006: 132). Examples for these countries are The United States, Canada, and Great Britain. Most other countries have a civil-law system, for example France and Mexico. Many countries combine features of both systems. Common-law systems are based mostly on case law, which means court decisions. This began in England hundreds of years ago (World Book, 2006: 132). Civil-law systems are based mostly on statutes, or legislative acts. The majority of civil-law countries have formulated their statutes into carefully organized collections called codes. In common law countries statutes, rather than the courts, have the final say in any question of law (World Book, 2006: 132)."

Tags:law courts, judicial system, federal government, legal system

Abstract
The paper offers a brief introduction to the U.S. legal structure and identifies the role of criminal courts and drug courts. The paper discusses the differences between the treatment of defendants in criminal courts and drug courts and explains that the success of drug courts in reducing recidivism is largely due to the application of justice with leniency and treatment.

Outline:
Abstract
Overview
Criminal Courts
Drug Courts
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Both criminal and drug courts fall within the legal apparatus of the U.S. court system but they do so with somewhat different imperatives. The criminal courts have as the main priority to provide a forum for the prosecution to make the case for the conviction of the accused while, for the accused, they are a venue in which he or she can establish his or her innocence. In the typical drug courts, or similar diversion type program, they have, by the participation of the accused, essentially established so degree of guilt in advance but in recognition of the accused individual's drug problems the courts seek an alternative to simple prosecution and incarceration."

Tags:prosecution, imprisonment, incarceration, treatment, recidivism, reform

Abstract
This document offers a brief introduction to the U.S. legal structure and how the criminal courts and drug courts are situated within it. The writer discusses that criminal courts are recognized as the broader legal apparatus and the drug court structure to be a recognized component within the criminal court since all accused and defendants are first processed through standard criminal proceedings. The differences in how the criminal and drug courts treat defendants are discussed and the application of justice with leniency and treatment is observed to be one of the central reasons for the broad success of drug courts in reducing recidivism.

Tags:criminal, legal, law

Abstract
This paper explains that, in "The Courts", Ian Greene uses the major criteria of participation, inclusiveness and responsiveness to evaluate the Canadian courts and their relations to democracy. The author points out that the objective of Greene's book was to provide a rather objective picture of the state of the courts in Canada without providing a personal option; nonetheless, his personal opinions are very generalized conclusions. The paper relates a number of weaknesses to Greene's arguments and only gives this book a mild recommendation because, suggesting that, beyond presenting a general examination of the court system in Canada, the book is almost useless. The paper recommends that the book would be made more effective by Greene making changes, such as a clear statement on the democratic or undemocratic nature of the Canadian courts.

From the Paper
"There are technically three key aspects of Green's organization scheme. The first is a general strategy of focusing on the systematic nature of the courts as an institution instead of the actions of individual actors. This makes a great deal of sense considering that individual courts will vary incredibly. Therefore, the operations of one court are more then likely to differ from operations of another court. But by examining a wide range of judges, lawyers, court officers, academics, policy makers and litigants it is possible to create a better picture of the over all operations of the courts as an institution in Canadian society."

Tags:participation, personal opinions, inclusiveness responsiveness weaknesses

Abstract
The paper provides an overview of drug courts and examines their successes, specifically regarding children and adolescents. The paper then identifies the key components of juvenile drug courts that have led to their overwhelming success. The paper shows how drug courts have served to keep families together, and to effectively keep the most vulnerable segments of our society out of the penal system.

Outline:
The Drug Courts
Adolescents and Children

From the Paper
"One of the increasing trends in the justice system on a state by state basis has been the establishment of drug courts. The impetus behind the creation of the drug court is twofold: children and mothers. The creation of the drug courts is a response to the needs of women and children, most of who fall into statistical categories related to single parent families, poverty, and abuse. Drug courts are an effort on the part of the justice system to deal with women and children who come before the court as criminals, and who are faced with potential incarceration, in different and innovative ways. The goal is not to separate mothers from their children who could become wards of the state. As wards of the state, the children become part of a system that could keep mothers and their children separated for years, even life. For children, the drug courts represent the effort to keep these children out of the prison system, and to give them and their families an opportunity to redirect their lives away from drugs and the penal system (Schwebel, R., 2002, p. 176)."

Tags:incarceration, substance, abuse, juveniles, treatment, counseling

Abstract
Examines these courts as effective managers of drug related punishment. Contends that drug courts are the most effective method of punishment for drug offenders. Origins of drug courts in Florida in 1989. Conceptual and clinical elements that make drug courts successful. Addiction. Historical problems with criminal justice mandated treatment.

From the Paper
"DRUG COURT AS EFFECTIVE MANAGERS OF DRUG-RELATED PUNISHMENT

The prototype for drug courts was developed in Dade County, Florida, in 1989. The drug court is a unique effort that uses the occasion of a drug-offence arrest as an intervention opportunity for drug offenders. Despite historical problems in criminal justice diversion and referral programs, the Dade County success rates have shown that these problems can be overcome through unique collaborative relationships, innovative treatment design, and the elimination of conventional gaps in the referral- treatment-monitoring ..."