Book Review: Cox, S. M., Allen, J. M., Hanser, R. D., & Conrad, J. J (2008). Juvenile Justice: A Guide to Theory, Policy, and Practice (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE. xiii, 417 pp

• DOI: 10.1177/0734016808329515
• Published date: 01 December 2009
• Date: 01 December 2009
• Author: David M. Altschuler
• Subject Matter: Articles

Book Reviews 575

of civil lawsuits. Signorelli also provides a very compelling argument against the objective

reasonableness standard established by Graham v. Connor (1989). He states that this standard

is easier to apply in hindsight rather than during the initial street encounter that led to the use

of force. The author seems to have a similar objection to the standard of probable cause used

for determining qualified immunity as it is not easy to define and understand. He suggests that

high standards of professionalism, honesty, integrity, and adequate preparation can help offic-

ers cope with the ever-evolving legal standards that police are subject to.

The book also contains a section that is designed specifically for practitioners. The three

chapters in this section provide suggestions that can help police officers from being manip-

ulated by skillful plaintiff attorneys during depositions. According to Signorelli, deposi-

tions can be a very long and tiring process. They also represent a stage where officers might

unwittingly concede to details or procedures that are later used against them. The author, by

way of actual cases, effectively illustrates the kind of situations that can confuse officers in

their clear line of thinking or in their recollections of events. The author makes officers aware

of several types of approaches attorneys take to get a story out of officers that is favorable

to them. He also provides valuable survival tactics for defendants and witnesses to effec-

tively testify at depositions. In addition to this, Signorelli gives valuable advice for attorneys

representing the police in liability cases. For example, he recommends that these actors

object to forms of questions, reserve objections, and object on substantive evidentiary

grounds. The remaining chapters focus on circumstances that are conducive to lawsuits

against the police and what agencies should and should not do to protect themselves and

their officers from the wrath of police liability lawsuits.

One of the major strengths of this book is that it is very straightforward and interesting

to read. Although it certainly has academic merit, it will also be of interest to criminal jus-

tice practitioners. The author does an exceptionally good job of pointing out the minutiae

of the situations police officers and attorneys face as a result of litigation. He also provides

a detailed list of examples in the form of questions and answers that officers are likely to

go through during depositions and cross-examinations. This alone may be worth the price

of the book. I really enjoyed reading this book and strongly suggest that it should be made

compulsory reading for every police officer, law enforcement agency, and attorney repre-

senting the police or other governmental body. This book would also be excellent supple-

mental reading material for a class related to police liability. It provides insights into

practical problems that officers and agencies face during the process of liability proceed-

ings against them. I recommend this book without any reservations.

Vidisha Barua

Penn State Altoona

Cox, S. M., Allen, J. M., Hanser, R. D., & Conrad, J. J (2008). Juvenile Justice: A Guide to

Theory, Policy, and Practice (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE. xiii, 417 pp.

DOI: 10.1177/0734016808329515

The sixth edition of Juvenile Justice: A Guide to Theory, Policy and Practice is a noble

and ambitious effort to produce a textbook that covers delinquency, adolescent misbehavior,