Abstract

Participatory Democracy and the Criminal Law examines how the principles of participatory democracy are instantiated within the criminal justice system and explores how these principles could be further developed and expanded within this context. This collection of essays focuses on multiple participatory structures within the criminal law, with the criminal jury serving as a paradigmatic example, alongside community-based sentencing initiatives and restorative justice practices, to name but a few. With a focus on both the theoretical underpinnings and practical applications of participatory political structures, this book will cover a range of topics such as the historical evolution of jury trials, the significance of community representation in sentencing, participatory structures in law enforcement, and models of community-based restorative justice. This work will illuminate the ways in which participatory mechanisms not only administer justice but also reinforce the civic identity of individuals within a democratic society.