Criminal Justice Resources: Open Access: Government Resources & Textbooks

Report & Publications. Filter by Categories -> Criminal Justice Information Services, title, year.

"This introductory criminal justice textbook serves as a comprehensive resource for students to explore the key areas of the American criminal justice system. Students will examine the roles of the police, courts, corrections, and juvenile law. Additionally, the book introduces criminal theory, data, and legal principles. Beyond just studying these topics, students will have the opportunity to investigate potential careers and reflect on their roles and opinions within our legal system." Published: 8-14-2025

"This OER covers law enforcement, criminal courts, sentencing, penal institutions, juvenile justice, criminological theory, and community-based sanctions. It also includes historical and contemporary perspectives on components of the criminal justice system, as well as the legal and constitutional frameworks in which they operate." Published: 8-13-25

"This is a hopeful but complicated era for those with ambitions to reform the juvenile courts and youth-serving public institutions in the United States. As advocates plea for major reforms, many fear the public backlash in making dramatic changes. Choosing the Future for American Juvenile Justice provides a look at the recent trends in juvenile justice as well as suggestions for reforms and policy changes in the future." NY University Press, 2014.