Barry Latzer Ordre des livres

Focusing on violent crime trends in the U.S. from the 1880s to the 1930s, Barry Latzer's analysis challenges traditional views that equate urban settings with high crime rates. He argues that cities, despite challenges like overcrowding and poverty, had lower violence rates than rural areas, particularly in the South and West. Latzer downplays racism as a primary cause of violence, highlighting cultural factors and subcultures instead. He also contends that Prohibition did not necessarily increase violent crime, offering a fresh perspective on this complex issue.

Justice is on trial in the United States. From police to prisons, the justice system is accused of overpunishing. It is said that too many Americans are abused by the police, arrested, jailed, and imprisoned. But the denunciations are overblown. The data indicates, contrary to the critics, that we don’t imprison too many, nor do we overpunish. This becomes evident when we examine the crimes of prisoners and the actual time served. The history of punishment in the United States, discussed in vivid detail, reveals that the treatment of offenders has become progressively more lenient. Corporal punishment is no more. The death penalty has become a rarity. Many convicted defendants are given no-incarceration sentences. Restorative justice may be a good thing for low-level offenses, or as an add-on for remorseful prisoners, but when it comes to major crimes it is no substitute for punitive justice. The Myth of Overpunishment presents a workable and politically feasible plan to electronically monitor arrested suspects prior to adjudication (bail reform), defendants placed on probation, and parolees.

The rise of violent crime after the late 1960s significantly impacted American society, influencing daily behaviors and lifestyles. As crime rates soared, fear permeated communities, affecting choices in housing, schooling, commuting, and leisure activities. Many Americans found themselves living in constant vigilance, wary of becoming victims. This phenomenon, alongside the civil rights movement, shaped the social landscape of the United States in the latter part of the 20th century, marking a profound shift in how people navigated their lives.

The book offers verbatim excerpts from pivotal U.S. Supreme Court decisions regarding the death penalty, providing a comprehensive understanding of the legal landscape surrounding capital punishment. It begins with an introduction that outlines key themes and a historical overview of the death penalty in the U.S. The subsequent chapters are organized into five distinct sections, covering foundational cases, eligible crimes and individuals, trial processes, post-conviction reviews, and execution-related issues, making it a crucial resource for understanding this complex legal topic.