General Criminal Justice Links

Here is a basic look on criminal justice as it is the platform in which a government maintains social control, prevent or deter crime, and exact penalties against those who commit them.  This will help you understand the the goal of protecting citizens and communities in the nation.  Please refer to our other resources on difference criminal justice topics as you continue to read through this page.

The criminal justice system is typically compiled of a multitude of governing layers, each with different levels of authority. The first stage largely consists of law enforcement; when a crime is committed, a law enforcement official, typically the police, will issue a citation or make an arrest. The second stage includes involvement of the court, where questionable citations or allegations are settled with due process. The third stage includes corrections, which may include jails and prison institutions, as well as probation and paroles.  The United States adheres to a systematic approach to law, dependent on the cooperation between the divisions of law enforcement, courts, and correctional organizations. Listed below are some resources to criminal justice-related organizations and associations, such as different departments of U.S. government, non-profit organizations, university libraries and various other online resourceful agencies.

Criminal Justice Services and Support

The following resources offer various legal services, support and information for victims, defendents, law officials, and scholars alike.

• The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is a nonprofit organization that strives to defend and preserve the rights of all those living in the United States. The organization provides services in lobbying, litigation, legislation, and community outreach.
• The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), a branch of the U.S. government, supports those working in the criminal justice system, from law enforcement to prevention initiatives.
• Local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement can find assistance and support in developing greater effectiveness and approach at the Institute for Governmental Research (IIR).
• The non-profit Institute for Law and Justice (ILJ) supplies information regarding support for criminal justice and public safety organizations.
• The National Archive of Criminal Justice Date (NACJP) facilitates research in criminal justice, and provides reports, findings, and analysis of research projects.
• The National Center on Institutions and Alternatives (NCIA) provides services to criminal justice professionals and other associated parties in the justice system, including defendants and inmates.
• The National Center for State Courts (NCSC) offers support and expertise to justices and administrators.
• The National Criminal Justice Association (NCJA) works to shape and advocate criminal justice policies.
• NIJ, holds an annual conference in June, bringing together criminal justice advocates, scholars, policymakers, lobbyists, and practitioners to discuss relevant issues, concerns, and approaches.
• The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) works to fight illicit drugs and international crime.

Data, Information & Resources on Criminal Justice

Crime justice data and statistics can be available through different outlets and by specific filters. You may find crime background information regarding your neighborhood, city, and state, as well on national and international levels.

• The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) - Provides information and data on crime-related issues at federal, state, and local levels.
• The Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics (SCJS)
• National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS)
• The National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
• The Office of Justice Programs (OJP)
• The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
• Population data for county, state and national levels through OJJDP’s Easy Access to Juvenile Populations (EZAPOP).
• Find highlights of cases with historical or current significance on the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) website.

Legal and Law Information

Legal matters can often be overwhelming to many, so cases that require law services are best left to the professionals and experts in the field. The following is a small listing of contact information for attorneys, the ABA, and other resources on the law.

• The American Bar Association (ABA) offers a page of resources for and about lawyers.
• Learning about the law online is made accessible at FindLaw.
• The Law Engine! provides online legal research opportunities.
• LawInfo assists in finding attorneys and provides free legal resources and documents.
• Find court locations with help from United States Courts.
• Kenneth M. Perry, Esq. supplies an online legal resource locator.
• Rominger Legal houses links for legal resources, including state and federal courts.
• Find Admiralty and Maritime Law, Digital Rights Management and more at the WWW Virtual Library – Law.

Legal Resources from University Libraries

Law schools can be an excellent source for legal resources. Students are often required to perform extensive research and analysis as part of the program’s curriculum, and the result is a comprehensive study on a specific law-related topic. Many research projects go onto become published works, and can provide a unique insight to the criminal justice system.

• University of Kent (U.K.)
• Cornell University Law
• The Center on Law and Information Policy at Fordham University’s School of Law
• Villanova University School of Law
• University of Illinois College of Law

Government Information

• Search the Federal Register (FR) for rules, proposed rules, and notices of federal agencies.
• Directories and websites of government agencies, officials, and organizations.
• FedStats – Statistics on international, state, county and local scales.
• FedWorld
• THOMAS, part of the Library of Congress, provides legislative information.
• The U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) presents Keeping America Informed
• Images and transcript archives of the U.S. Constitution

United States Government Agencies and Bureaus

• Find breaking news, regulations, policies, and other information at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
• Population and related data is available online, courtesy of the U.S. Census Bureau.
• Updated press releases and drug information provided by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
• The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) provides numerous statistics and services pertaining to security and regulation of federal law.
• U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA)
• United States House of Representatives
• United States Senate

Criminal Justice Resources by State

The following is a directory of criminal justice resources for each individual state. These pages will provide comprehensive information regarding news, data, statistics, and research. Material regarding laws, regulations, policies, and legal services may also be available.

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Other Pages of Interest

• The Prison Legal News organization is dedicated to protecting human rights.
• The Sentencing Project focuses on research and advocates for reform.
• The Center for Court Innovation is a non-profit think tank helping to aid victims and reduce crime