Introduction to Criminal Justice offers a contemporary and applied approach to understanding the criminal justice system. Written by acclaimed author and educator Kenneth J. Peak, whose experience stems from various policing and administrative roles in both the criminal justice system and higher education, this comprehensive, reader-friendly text introduces students to the subject and importance of criminal justice. Key trends, emerging issues, historical backgrounds, and practical lessons are provided for students to apply in their future careers. Students will learn the core topics in criminal justice-including policing, corrections, criminal behavior, and criminal law and courts, as well as special topics such as ethics, juvenile justice, terrorism, gun control, and marijuana legalization-while learning how to solve problems they are likely to face in a variety of criminal justice career paths.