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New!

Criminal Justice in Action, 12th Edition

Larry K. Gaines, Roger LeRoy Miller

  • Copyright 2027
  • {{checkPublicationMessage('Available 16 February 2026', '2026-02-16T00:00:00+0000')}}
Starting At $710.00 See pricing and ISBN options
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Criminal Justice in Action 12th Edition by Larry K. Gaines/Roger LeRoy Miller
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Overview

Capture your students’ attention from day one with Gaines/Miller/Griggs’ "Criminal Justice in Action," 12th Edition. This edition’s highly praised magazine-style format provides a panoramic view of today’s evolving criminal justice system. Each chapter opens with a real-world vignette from current headlines, and each page illustrates examples of both criminal activity and the justice system’s response. Contemporary content blends with innovative pedagogy and clear learning objectives that reinforce understanding of key concepts. Students think critically and ethically as they explore the balance of interests, theories and practices shaping the field. MindTap reinforces learning with video quizzes, decision-making activities, chapter quizzes and new Listen and React activities that task students to listen critically and respond.

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Meet the Authors

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Larry K. Gaines

Larry Gaines serves as chair of his department. A longtime, well-known figure in the field, he is recognized both for his work as an educator and for his contributions to law enforcement.

Roger LeRoy Miller

Roger LeRoy Miller, Ph.D., has served on the faculty of several universities, including the University of Washington, Clemson University and the University of Miami School of Law. As a professor, he has taught intellectual property law and entertainment law, among other subjects. A widely published and respected author, his work has appeared in the Insurance Counsel Journal, Defense Research, California Trial Lawyers Journal, Antitrust Bulletin, Wisconsin Law Review and Connecticut Law Review. He has authored or co-authored numerous authoritative textbooks on law, including BUSINESS LAW: TEXT & CASES; BUSINESS LAW TODAY: TEXT & SUMMARIZED CASES and THE LEGAL ENVIRONMENT TODAY. Professor Miller completed his studies at the University of California at Berkeley and University of Chicago.

What's New

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  • New real-world vignettes open each chapter, sparking interest and critical thinking on topics like George Floyd, #MeToo, and COVID-19’s impact on justice.
  • The Cybersecurity & CJ feature explores cybercrime, encryption and digital threats, with analysis questions that challenge students to think from new perspectives.
  • Discretion in Action scenarios place students in criminal justice roles to solve real cases, then compare their decisions with actual practitioner responses.

Features

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  • Career-focused content includes job profiles, salary information and Social Media Career Tips to help students explore and prepare for 15+ criminal justice careers.
  • Chapters are structured around 8–10 clear learning objectives that guide reading, highlight key content and support review and assessment.
  • Comparative Criminal Justice features offer global insights into how other countries handle policing, courts and corrections.
  • Mastering Concepts features clarify complex topics and show how different parts of the justice system connect through comparisons and context.
  • Policy Matters features present opposing views on key issues like use of force and facial recognition, with questions and assignments to spark debate.

Table of Contents

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Part I: THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
1. Criminal Justice Today.
2. Causes of Crime.
3. The Crime Picture: Offenders and Victims.
4. Inside Criminal Law.
Part II: THE POLICE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT.
5. Law Enforcement Today.
6. Problems and Solutions in Modern Policing.
7. Police and the Constitution: The Rules of Law Enforcement.
Part III: CRIMINAL COURTS.
8. Courts and the Quest for Justice.
9. Pretrial Procedures: The Adversary System in Action.
10. The Criminal Trial.
11. Punishment and Sentencing.
Part IV: CORRECTIONS.
12. Probation, Parole, and Intermediate Sanctions.
13. Prisons and Jails.
14. The Prison Experience and Prisoner Reentry.
Part V: SPECIAL ISSUES.
15. The Juvenile Justice System.

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  • ISBN-10: 8214130956
  • ISBN-13: 9798214130958
  • RETAIL $710.00
Instructor Next Steps
Students: Buy now