Featuring the insights of criminal justice scholars G. Larry Mays and Laura Woods Fidelie, Second Edition, is ideal for undergraduate courts courses. It examines the many elements of the U.S. court system—its structures, functions, and key actors—addressing the major problems facing the system and considering potential solutions. This unique text also provides students with a practical perspective, discussing the contrast between the law and the rules as they are written and the ways in which they actually play out in the real world. The book is enhanced by "In the News" boxes that discuss contemporary events and "World View" boxes covering international courts and legal systems.