Criminal Justice in Divided America

A searching examination of the criminal justice system in America, each of whose components is found wanting…A valuable platform for advocates of judicial, penal, and police reform. * Kirkus Reviews * Sklansky's sober and careful analysis is exactly what we need right now. Democracy and criminal legal processing are interconnected, he argues in this important new book, and populism and polarization threaten the democratic governance that empowers all groups to participate. His remedy—a renewed commitment to democratic pluralism—is ambitiously hopeful. Let’s hope he is right. -- Tracey Meares, Yale Law School Criminal Justice in Divided America is an authoritative and accessible commentary on the most vexing issues facing the administration of criminal justice. It is full of pertinent information, conveyed with nuance and respect for complexity. I recommend it enthusiastically. -- Randall Kennedy, Harvard Law School Breathtaking in its scope and depth. Sklansky deftly surveys a huge literature—sociological, psychological, philosophical, political, legal—and shows that the failures of our criminal legal system are inextricably linked to the crisis in American democracy. Challenging the recent populism of the left and right, Criminal Justice in Divided America advances a vision of democratic pluralism that is both an antidote to polarization and a roadmap to reform. -- Erin Murphy, New York University School of Law This book outlines concrete steps that we can pursue right now to achieve greater fairness and equality in the justice system while restoring American democracy. Its bold agenda of consensus-based reforms is at once inspiring and realistic—and necessary. -- Sarah Seo, Columbia Law School