Section III - Observations on Gangs and the Justice System

Introduction

The American justice process begins with the creation of law. Simply put, once a law is passed, police enforce it by arresting violators. The cases against the alleged offenders are then brought to the attention of the court through the prosecutor's office. If convicted, the offender will be incarcerated or punished/treated in the community. Gang members experience the system in that order and that's the order in which we will discuss how the justice system handles them. Gangs in prison will not be covered since that topic has already been discussed.

Looking back on my experiences in the field over the past three years, I spent most of my time with police gang unit members, probation/parole officers, juvenile officers, and gang members. That explains the amount of material found in portions of Into the Abyss resulting from my contact with them.

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Additional resources: The OJJDP Statistical Briefing Book provides a great deal of useful information on juvenile justice system and process.

© 2002 Michael K. Carlie
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the author and copyright holder - Michael K. Carlie.