Criminal Justice and the Policy Process develops a synthesized policy making model that explains how complex justice policy is developed, implemented, and evaluated. Unlike other texts, this study weaves together important aspects of several competing explanations of policy choice into a single model. Further, this text emphasizes the importance of implementing policy as an important component in the ultimate outcome of policy decisions. The book fills a void in introducing students to the policy making process coupled with the importance of justice administration as a component. Important themes throughout the book include the role of the media, special interests, elite policy makers, and discretion.