Book Review: Criminal Procedure
| Date | 01 April 1996 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X9606900218 |
| Published date | 01 April 1996 |
| Subject Matter | Book Review |
CRIMINAL
PROCEDURE,
by
John
Sprack.
Blackstone Press
Ltd.
Paperback
£19.95.
The sixth edition of this work is based on APractical Approach to
Criminal Procedure by the late C. Emmins. The book incorporates
changes made by The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994,
together with cases interpreting the Criminal Justice Acts
of
1991 and
1993.
The 1994edition of the Code for Crown Prosecutors and the new Home
Office Circular on cautioning are also covered.
The chapters take the reader through the whole criminal trial procedure
and include an imaginary brief. A good buy for any training school or
police library at a reasonable price considering that the fifth edition
published in 1992 was also sold at £19.95.
CRIMINALJUSTICE, by S. Uglow.Sweet & Maxwell. Paperback£21.95.
Criminal Justice sets the law within its socio-legal context with the idea
of giving students an understanding
of
the whole of the criminal justice
system. Prisons and sentencing are covered, as are the police.
The Police and Magistrates' Courts Act 1994 and the Criminal Justice
and Public Order Act 1994 are thoroughly examined as well as the
institutions, procedures and decision-making procedures which make up
the system.
From the point of view
of
the serving police officer there are interesting
chapters on "The Police -Organization and Control", "The Police - Crime
and Investigation" and "The Prosecution Process".
One small point: page 28 claims that The City of London Police was
formed by virtue of The Metropolitan Police Act of 1839. The City of
London Police Act 1839 ( 2 &3 Vic.cap. XCIV) was in fact the statute
under which the City Police was established, the first Commissioner being
Daniel Whittle-Harvey who held the post from 1839 until 1863. The
statute was a result of a further attempt (there have been many since) to
"improve the City in and near the Metropolis" by which it was proposed
that the City of London should become part
of
the Metropolitan Police
district. It is true to say that the City Act was based largely on the
Metropolitan Acts of 1829 and 1839.
That apart, the book is worth reading if you want an A-Z
of
the system
overall. The law is stated as on January 1, 1995.
TRAFFIC
OFFICER'S
COMPANION,
9th
edn,
by
Gordon
Wilson.
Police Review
Publishing
Co.
Ltd.
Paperback
£12.25 (inc.
p&p).
Whatever can be said of The Beat Officer's Companion can also be said
of its traffic companion by the same author.
If
you can remember all
legislation regarding traffic, all well and good, if not, this book will fit the
back pocket and, while it will not cover the law as thoroughly as
Wilkinson's, it will serve your needs on the streets. Relieve those grey cells
and get a copy.
184 The Police Journal April 1996
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