Law, courts, and lawyers played increasing roles in the central social and political conflicts of the 1970s. Concerns about rising crime rates, the rights of the accused, and the death penalty were key social issues. Growing prison populations and prison riots raised difficult questions about prison conditions and the use of stricter sentencing to respond to rising crime rates. Debates about school busing and school desegregation were carried on in courtrooms and in the streets. The Supreme Court established a woman's right to abortion and changed the course of national politics. Legal disputes over the president's executive privilege and custody of the White House tapes played a pivotal role in the Watergate crisis. And environmental groups and business firms fought out the battles of environmental policy in courtrooms across the country.
Public concern about crime remained high, constantly near the top.....
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