Mike McConville – författare

With unprecedented access to prosecution case files, observation of live trials and interviews with judges, prosecutors and defence lawyers, the book paints a uniquely detailed picture of China''s criminal justice system as it operates in everyday cases. Among the major themes explored are: bail; detention; torture; confessions; the role of police, prosecutors and judges; the work of defence lawyers; pre-trial and trial practice; and sentencing practices, including the death penalty. The book shows, through volumes of quantitative data and the voices of judges, prosecutors and defence lawyers, how the party-state continues to influence and control both the process and outcome of criminal trials through an elaborate system of audit and sanction, the result of which is a system of aggregate rather than individual justice.

With a wealth of original empirical data, this book will be of significant interest to academics and postgraduate students in the general area of Chinese Studies, human rights, criminal justice and comparative criminal justice. Policy makers, politicians and development agencies will also find it invaluable.

With contributions from: Satnam Choongh, Pinky Choy Dick Wan, Eric Chui Wing Hong, Ian Dobinson and Carol Jones

From the early 80s community policing has been held up as a new commitment to the ideals of service and the rejection of coercive policing styles. The idea was to encourage a partnership between the public and police in which community needs would be met by officers on local beats. Today, Government ministers and senior police officers depict Neighbourhood Watch, the centrepiece of the scheme, as a great success. However, Watching Police, Watching Communities reveals that most schemes are dormant or dead. The authors trace the causes of scheme failure to the lack of commitment to community policing by police forces. Most importantly, they find a police rank-and-file culture which celebrates aggression, machismo and the assertion of authority especially against areas occupied by ethnic minorities and other disadvantaged groups.

From the early 80s community policing has been held up as a new commitment to the ideals of service and the rejection of coercive policing styles. The idea was to encourage a partnership between the public and police in which community needs would be met by officers on local beats. Today, Government ministers and senior police officers depict Neighbourhood Watch, the centrepiece of the scheme, as a great success. However, Watching Police, Watching Communities reveals that most schemes are dormant or dead. The authors trace the causes of scheme failure to the lack of commitment to community policing by police forces. Most importantly, they find a police rank-and-file culture which celebrates aggression, machismo and the assertion of authority especially against areas occupied by ethnic minorities and other disadvantaged groups.

Originally published in 1991, The Case for the Prosecution examines the entire process of arrest through to conviction.

Originally published in 1991, The Case for the Prosecution examines the entire process of arrest through to conviction.

This third edition of Research Methods for Law offers students in a range of disciplines - law, sociology, psychology, criminology, forensic science, social-legal studies and social welfare - an advanced introduction to research methods in an accessible and grounded way. As well as covering theoretical, comparative and interdisciplinary methods, the book breaks new ground by offering a focus on topics of contemporary and developing concerns in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, BRICS, Continental Legal Systems, Islamic Law, Gender, Race and the ‘Virtual World’. The expert contributors draw on their vast experience in teaching and research to encourage students and provide sure pathways for their own enterprises with technical competence and adherence to ethical standards.

This third edition of Research Methods for Law offers students in a range of disciplines - law, sociology, psychology, criminology, forensic science, social-legal studies and social welfare - an advanced introduction to research methods in an accessible and grounded way. As well as covering theoretical, comparative and interdisciplinary methods, the book breaks new ground by offering a focus on topics of contemporary and developing concerns in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, BRICS, Continental Legal Systems, Islamic Law, Gender, Race and the ‘Virtual World’. The expert contributors draw on their vast experience in teaching and research to encourage students and provide sure pathways for their own enterprises with technical competence and adherence to ethical standards.

The book addresses issues at various stages of the criminal justice process (investigation and prosecution of crime and criminal trial) as well as problems pertaining to criminal defence and to parallel systems of punishment. All of the contributions discuss the criminal justice system in the context of China''s legal reforms. Several of the contributions urge the conclusion that the criminal process and related processes remain marred by overwhelming powers of the police and Party-State, and a chapter discussing China''s 2012 revision of its Criminal Procedure Law argues that the revision is unlikely to bring significant improvement.

This diverse comparative study will appeal to academics in Chinese law, society and politics, members of the human rights NGO and diplomatic communities as well as legal professionals interested in China.

Contributors include: I. Belkin, S. Biddulph, G. Chen, W. Chen, Y.-J. Chen, J.A. Cohen, I. Dobinson, Z. Guo, J. He, R. He, H. Fu, J. Jiang, R. Lan, S.B. Lubman, J. Ma, M. McConville, S.A. Mosher, E. Nesossi, E. Pils, J.D. Rosenzweig, F. Sapio, T. Stutsman, B. Teng, W. Zuo

Against a backdrop of a dysfunctional criminal justice system, the authors bring an avalanche of legal and empirical material to question the legitimacy of the relationship between judges, lawyers, politicians and defendants in modern Britain. Examining existing legal structures and court practices through the lens of what used to be called plea bargaining the authors provide a graphic picture of why case disposals through enforced guilty pleas promote injustice, feed discrimination and skew the judicial function. This is the most comprehensive examination to date of case disposition methods in England, Wales and Scotland., underpinned by a new socio-legal theory on the criminal process.

Criminal Judges is sure to provoke debate on the forces which drive the criminal justice process and will therefore be of great interest to all those concerned about the future of criminal justice policies and practices. It will appeal to academics, researchers, policy advisors and practitioners of criminal law.

Incorporating academic and practitioner perspectives, this ground-breaking Research Handbook provides a contemporary reflection on the challenges surrounding the societal and legal framing of this enduring feature of the criminal justice landscape. It situates these challenges within the broader discussion on responses to plea bargaining in comparative international and domestic contexts. Exploring the successes and failures of plea bargaining law reforms and practices within a diverse range of trial systems, this Research Handbook lays the foundation for future research and scholarship to enable a clearer understanding of plea bargaining.

Drawing attention to contemporary debates and ongoing controversies, this Handbook will be a vital resource for scholars and students of criminal law and justice, criminology, and sociology and social policy.