Instructor Manual: Larry Gaines, Roger LeRoy Miller, Introduction to Criminal Justice in Action, 12e, ©2027, 9798214130958; Chapter 01:
Criminal Justice Today
Instructor Manual
Larry Gaines, Roger LeRoy Miller, Introduction to Criminal Justice in Action,
12e, ©2027, 9798214130958; Chapter 01: Criminal Justice Today
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Purpose and Perspective of the Chapter......................................................................2
What’s New in This Chapter........................................................................................2
Chapter Objectives........................................................................................................2
Chapter Outline.............................................................................................................3
Section 1-1: What is Crime?...................................................................................................................... 3
Section 1-2: The Purpose of the Criminal Justice System......................................................................... 4
Section 1-3: The Structure of the Criminal Justice System.......................................................................5
Section 1-4: Discretion and Ethics.............................................................................................................7
Section 1-5: Crime in Focus...................................................................................................................... 8
Standard Rubrics – Writing and Presentation..........................................................10
a
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly 1
accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: Larry Gaines, Roger LeRoy Miller, Introduction to Criminal Justice in Action, 12e, ©2027, 9798214130958; Chapter 01:
Criminal Justice Today
PURPOSE AND PERSPECTIVE OF THE CHAPTER
The purpose of this chapter is to provide a comprehensive foundation for understanding the American
criminal justice system’s structure, processes, and contemporary challenges. Students will explore
fundamental concepts including crime definition through consensus and conflict models, examine the
three-tiered structure of law enforcement, courts, and corrections operating within a federalist framework,
and analyze the critical role of discretion and ethics in criminal justice decision making. The chapter
addresses significant contemporary issues including gun violence, domestic terrorism, cybercrime, and
white-collar crime, emphasizing how these challenges impact system operations. Through examination of
real-world cases and policy debates, learners will develop critical thinking skills necessary for
understanding the complex balance between maintaining public safety and protecting individual rights
within diverse communities.
WHAT’S NEW IN THIS CHAPTER
The following elements are improvements in this chapter from the previous edition:
New discussions on several important crime issues, including gun crime and gun control, cyber
crime, and white-collar crime
Updated discussion of the George Floyd case with more recent information
Updated references and data for currency
New Figures 1.1 and 1.2 with more recent data and information
[return to top]
CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
1-1 Define crime.
1-2 Describe the two most common models of how society determines which acts are criminal.
1-3 Explain two main purposes of the criminal justice system.
1-4 Outline the three levels of law enforcement.
1-5 List the essential elements of the corrections system.
1-6 Explain the difference between the formal and informal criminal justice processes.
1-7 Define ethics, and describe the role that it plays in discretionary decision making.
1-8 Explain how background checks, in theory, protect the public from firearm-related violence.
1-9 Outline the three major reasons why the Internet is conducive to the dissemination of child sexual
abuse materials.
1-10 Indicate some of the ways that white-collar crime is different from violent or property crime.
a
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly 2
accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: Larry Gaines, Roger LeRoy Miller, Introduction to Criminal Justice in Action, 12e, ©2027, 9798214130958; Chapter 01:
Criminal Justice Today
[return to top]
CHAPTER OUTLINE
SECTION 1-1: WHAT IS CRIME?
Key Concepts
Crime is a wrong against society that is proclaimed by law and punishable by the criminal justice
system, distinguished from deviance by its legal consequences and formal sanctions.
Criminal behavior is determined through consensus (majority agreement on shared values) or
conflict (dominant groups imposing their values) models of social control.
The consensus model assumes society shares similar moral values and criminalizes acts that
threaten public welfare, while laws evolve as social attitudes change.
The conflict model argues that criminal law reflects the interests of politically powerful groups
who impose their values on less powerful segments of society.
Discussion Questions
How do you think social media has influenced society’s perception of what behaviors should be
considered criminal versus merely deviant?
o Sample Response: Social media has accelerated the spread of information about
behaviors, potentially leading to faster shifts in public opinion about criminality.
However, legal definitions of crime still require formal legislative processes, creating
tension between rapid social change and slower legal adaptation.
Which model—consensus or conflict—better explains why marijuana laws have changed so
dramatically across different states in recent years?
o Sample Response: The changing marijuana laws likely reflect both models: shifting
consensus among voters about the drug’s harmfulness, combined with conflict between
federal authorities and state-level political coalitions with different priorities and values.
If the consensus model is accurate, why do we see such stark differences in criminal laws
between different states on issues like gun control or drug possession?
o Sample Response: Even within the consensus model, different communities can
reach different conclusions about what threatens public welfare based on their unique
experiences, demographics, and local values. Geographic and cultural diversity naturally
leads to some variation in legal approaches.
How might the underrepresentation of minorities in prosecutor positions (only 5 percent
according to the text) influence which crimes are prioritized for prosecution?
o Sample Response: Underrepresentation could lead to prosecution priorities that don’t
reflect minority community concerns, potentially focusing more on street crimes than
white-collar offenses, or being less sensitive to issues like police misconduct that
disproportionately affect minority communities.
a
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly 3
accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: Larry Gaines, Roger LeRoy Miller, Introduction to Criminal Justice in Action, 12e, ©2027, 9798214130958; Chapter 01:
Criminal Justice Today
Teaching Tips
Use current examples like cyberbullying or “cancel culture” to illustrate the difference between
social disapproval and legal sanctions. Address student misconceptions that popularity or moral
outrage automatically makes something criminal.
Encourage students to consider multiple perspectives and avoid oversimplifying complex social
issues. Help students understand that both models can operate simultaneously in different
contexts.
Use concrete examples like adultery laws or helmet requirements to show how consensus can
shift over time. Address the misconception that consensus means unanimity—emphasize that it
refers to majority agreement.
Present this as an analytical framework rather than taking sides. Encourage students to examine
power structures critically while recognizing the complexity of democratic decision-making
processes.
SECTION 1-2: THE PURPOSE OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
Key Concepts
The criminal justice system aims to maintain justice by ensuring equal treatment under law and
protecting individuals from arbitrary government action.
The system protects society through four specific goals: restraining dangerous offenders,
providing appropriate punishment, rehabilitating criminals, and supporting crime victims.
Discussion Questions
When police officers use their discretion to not arrest peaceful homeless individuals for
trespassing, are they upholding or undermining justice?
o Sample Response: This creates tension between formal legal equality and
substantive fairness—officers might argue they’re promoting justice by considering
individual circumstances, while others might contend that selective enforcement
undermines the rule of law and equal treatment.
Which of these four protective goals do you think should take priority when they conflict with
each other, such as when rehabilitation programs are expensive but punishment is cheaper?
o Sample Response: Different communities might prioritize differently based on their
values and resources—some emphasizing public safety through incapacitation, others
focusing on long-term crime reduction through rehabilitation, and still others prioritizing
victim needs and justice.
Teaching Tips
Help students understand that justice is subjective and contested. Use scenarios that highlight the
tension between formal rules and individual circumstances to promote critical thinking about
fairness.
Present real-world budget scenarios where students must make trade-offs between competing
goals. Address the misconception that these goals are always compatible or that there are simple
solutions to complex policy choices.
a
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly 4
accessible website, in whole or in part.
Criminal Justice Today
Instructor Manual
Larry Gaines, Roger LeRoy Miller, Introduction to Criminal Justice in Action,
12e, ©2027, 9798214130958; Chapter 01: Criminal Justice Today
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Purpose and Perspective of the Chapter......................................................................2
What’s New in This Chapter........................................................................................2
Chapter Objectives........................................................................................................2
Chapter Outline.............................................................................................................3
Section 1-1: What is Crime?...................................................................................................................... 3
Section 1-2: The Purpose of the Criminal Justice System......................................................................... 4
Section 1-3: The Structure of the Criminal Justice System.......................................................................5
Section 1-4: Discretion and Ethics.............................................................................................................7
Section 1-5: Crime in Focus...................................................................................................................... 8
Standard Rubrics – Writing and Presentation..........................................................10
a
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly 1
accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: Larry Gaines, Roger LeRoy Miller, Introduction to Criminal Justice in Action, 12e, ©2027, 9798214130958; Chapter 01:
Criminal Justice Today
PURPOSE AND PERSPECTIVE OF THE CHAPTER
The purpose of this chapter is to provide a comprehensive foundation for understanding the American
criminal justice system’s structure, processes, and contemporary challenges. Students will explore
fundamental concepts including crime definition through consensus and conflict models, examine the
three-tiered structure of law enforcement, courts, and corrections operating within a federalist framework,
and analyze the critical role of discretion and ethics in criminal justice decision making. The chapter
addresses significant contemporary issues including gun violence, domestic terrorism, cybercrime, and
white-collar crime, emphasizing how these challenges impact system operations. Through examination of
real-world cases and policy debates, learners will develop critical thinking skills necessary for
understanding the complex balance between maintaining public safety and protecting individual rights
within diverse communities.
WHAT’S NEW IN THIS CHAPTER
The following elements are improvements in this chapter from the previous edition:
New discussions on several important crime issues, including gun crime and gun control, cyber
crime, and white-collar crime
Updated discussion of the George Floyd case with more recent information
Updated references and data for currency
New Figures 1.1 and 1.2 with more recent data and information
[return to top]
CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
1-1 Define crime.
1-2 Describe the two most common models of how society determines which acts are criminal.
1-3 Explain two main purposes of the criminal justice system.
1-4 Outline the three levels of law enforcement.
1-5 List the essential elements of the corrections system.
1-6 Explain the difference between the formal and informal criminal justice processes.
1-7 Define ethics, and describe the role that it plays in discretionary decision making.
1-8 Explain how background checks, in theory, protect the public from firearm-related violence.
1-9 Outline the three major reasons why the Internet is conducive to the dissemination of child sexual
abuse materials.
1-10 Indicate some of the ways that white-collar crime is different from violent or property crime.
a
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly 2
accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: Larry Gaines, Roger LeRoy Miller, Introduction to Criminal Justice in Action, 12e, ©2027, 9798214130958; Chapter 01:
Criminal Justice Today
[return to top]
CHAPTER OUTLINE
SECTION 1-1: WHAT IS CRIME?
Key Concepts
Crime is a wrong against society that is proclaimed by law and punishable by the criminal justice
system, distinguished from deviance by its legal consequences and formal sanctions.
Criminal behavior is determined through consensus (majority agreement on shared values) or
conflict (dominant groups imposing their values) models of social control.
The consensus model assumes society shares similar moral values and criminalizes acts that
threaten public welfare, while laws evolve as social attitudes change.
The conflict model argues that criminal law reflects the interests of politically powerful groups
who impose their values on less powerful segments of society.
Discussion Questions
How do you think social media has influenced society’s perception of what behaviors should be
considered criminal versus merely deviant?
o Sample Response: Social media has accelerated the spread of information about
behaviors, potentially leading to faster shifts in public opinion about criminality.
However, legal definitions of crime still require formal legislative processes, creating
tension between rapid social change and slower legal adaptation.
Which model—consensus or conflict—better explains why marijuana laws have changed so
dramatically across different states in recent years?
o Sample Response: The changing marijuana laws likely reflect both models: shifting
consensus among voters about the drug’s harmfulness, combined with conflict between
federal authorities and state-level political coalitions with different priorities and values.
If the consensus model is accurate, why do we see such stark differences in criminal laws
between different states on issues like gun control or drug possession?
o Sample Response: Even within the consensus model, different communities can
reach different conclusions about what threatens public welfare based on their unique
experiences, demographics, and local values. Geographic and cultural diversity naturally
leads to some variation in legal approaches.
How might the underrepresentation of minorities in prosecutor positions (only 5 percent
according to the text) influence which crimes are prioritized for prosecution?
o Sample Response: Underrepresentation could lead to prosecution priorities that don’t
reflect minority community concerns, potentially focusing more on street crimes than
white-collar offenses, or being less sensitive to issues like police misconduct that
disproportionately affect minority communities.
a
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly 3
accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: Larry Gaines, Roger LeRoy Miller, Introduction to Criminal Justice in Action, 12e, ©2027, 9798214130958; Chapter 01:
Criminal Justice Today
Teaching Tips
Use current examples like cyberbullying or “cancel culture” to illustrate the difference between
social disapproval and legal sanctions. Address student misconceptions that popularity or moral
outrage automatically makes something criminal.
Encourage students to consider multiple perspectives and avoid oversimplifying complex social
issues. Help students understand that both models can operate simultaneously in different
contexts.
Use concrete examples like adultery laws or helmet requirements to show how consensus can
shift over time. Address the misconception that consensus means unanimity—emphasize that it
refers to majority agreement.
Present this as an analytical framework rather than taking sides. Encourage students to examine
power structures critically while recognizing the complexity of democratic decision-making
processes.
SECTION 1-2: THE PURPOSE OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
Key Concepts
The criminal justice system aims to maintain justice by ensuring equal treatment under law and
protecting individuals from arbitrary government action.
The system protects society through four specific goals: restraining dangerous offenders,
providing appropriate punishment, rehabilitating criminals, and supporting crime victims.
Discussion Questions
When police officers use their discretion to not arrest peaceful homeless individuals for
trespassing, are they upholding or undermining justice?
o Sample Response: This creates tension between formal legal equality and
substantive fairness—officers might argue they’re promoting justice by considering
individual circumstances, while others might contend that selective enforcement
undermines the rule of law and equal treatment.
Which of these four protective goals do you think should take priority when they conflict with
each other, such as when rehabilitation programs are expensive but punishment is cheaper?
o Sample Response: Different communities might prioritize differently based on their
values and resources—some emphasizing public safety through incapacitation, others
focusing on long-term crime reduction through rehabilitation, and still others prioritizing
victim needs and justice.
Teaching Tips
Help students understand that justice is subjective and contested. Use scenarios that highlight the
tension between formal rules and individual circumstances to promote critical thinking about
fairness.
Present real-world budget scenarios where students must make trade-offs between competing
goals. Address the misconception that these goals are always compatible or that there are simple
solutions to complex policy choices.
a
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly 4
accessible website, in whole or in part.
