Reforming Criminal Justice

Jesus told his followers that the entirety of the Old Testament’s law is encapsulated in the commands to love God and to love their neighbors as themselves. In Reforming Criminal Justice: A Christian Proposal, Matthew T. Martens argues that love of neighbor must be the animating force for true reformation of the criminal justice system, obligating us to seek the best for both the criminally victimized and the criminally accused.

Using his theological training Martens reveals how Scripture provides several guideposts (accuracy, due process, accountability, impartiality, and proportionality) for loving our neighbors as it relates to criminal justice. Then, drawing on his near quarter century practicing criminal law, he examines how America’s justice system falls short of the biblical standard. By understanding how our current system operates and considering how love of neighbor relates to issues of crime and justice, we will be better equipped to seek true Christian reform of the justice system.

1. Opening Credits
2. Dedication
3. Foreword by Derwin Gray
4. Introduction
5. Part 1: A Christian Ethic of Criminal Justice
6. Chapter 1: The Gospel and Social Justice
7. Chapter 2: Criminal Justice as Social Justice
8. Chapter 3: My Neighbors
9. Chapter 4: Accuracy
10. Chapter 5: Due Process
11. Chapter 6: Accountability
12. Chapter 7: Impartiality
13. Chapter 8: Proportionality
14. Part 2: American Criminal Justice
15. Chapter 9: History
16. Chapter 10: Crime
17. Chapter 11: Plea Bargaining
18. Chapter 12: Jury Selection
19. Chapter 13: Judges
20. Chapter 14: Assistance of Counsel
21. Chapter 15: Exculpatory Evidence
22. Chapter 16: Witnesses
23. Chapter 17: Sentencing
24. Chapter 18: The Death Penalty
25. Chapter 19: What Can You Do?
26. Conclusion
27. Closing Credits