Editorial content is distinct from that which is published in the journal’s volumes and issues. The editorial manuscripts published by the journal are not assigned a volume, an issue, or page numbers. Editorial content are for public discussion and are not reflective of the journal article/essay peer review standards.
University and academic scholars may want to write about and respond to contemporary events that relate to criminal justice and the law. For instance, the U.S. Supreme Court may have just decided to take a case, heard oral argument in a case, or decided a case that is worthy of commentary from an academic. A state or the U.S. Congress may have recently passed legislation or is considering a particular bill that is of interest to the public. A particular trial may have just been resolved or is in progress that an author wants to write about. The editorial content section of the journal provides scholars with an opportunity to comment on contemporary occurrences in an academic way that contributes to the public discourse or understanding of the event. These are just a few examples.
Rather than expose such manuscripts to a lengthy peer-review process that is published months later, the journal is committed to publishing editorial manuscripts within 5-7 days of submission.
An editorial manuscript submitted to the journal should not exceed 5,000 words. A typical submission should not exceed 3,500 words. We realize, however, that some cases, legislation, court outcomes, or other events may be more complex; therefore, the journal allows for longer editorial manuscripts.
An author or authors who submit a manuscript should develop a working title for the manuscript and list all contributing authors (along with institutional affiliation). The author or authors of an editorial submission, particularly those who are affiliated with a public or private institution of higher education should consider including this or a similar statement at the end of the manuscript: “Opinions or ideas expressed herein are a product of the informed opinion(s) of the author(s) and not of the institution(s) of affiliation.” An important principle of academic freedom, as expressed by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) is: “College and university teachers are citizens, members of a learned profession, and officers of an educational institution. When they speak or write as citizens, they should be free from institutional censorship or discipline, but their special position in the community imposes special obligations. As scholars and educational officers, they should remember that the public may judge their profession and their institution by their utterances. Hence they should at all times be accurate, should exercise appropriate restraint, should show respect for the opinions of others, and should make every effort to indicate that they are not speaking for the institution.” (For the source of this statement, CLICK HERE). The suggested statement is not required for consideration of an editorial manuscript; the editorial board strongly recommends it.
An editorial manuscript may or may not have references. Where references are used, authors should follow the normal citation guidelines of the journal. (See the “Citation” page of this site).
How to Submit?
Editorial manuscripts should be sent directly to the Editor by emailing it to: [email protected].
How Editorial Manuscripts are Judged?
Foremost, an editorial manuscript submitted to the journal should have an academic tone, and should not take a demeaning or condescending approach. The idea is to advance the standing of academe in discourse on contemporary events, not to erode its position.
Editorial content should be of interest, not only to other academics, but also to students, policymakers, and the general public.
Upon receipt of an editorial manuscript, the Editor will determine if the article is within the scope of the journal. If is found appropriate, the Editor along with the Associate Editors will make a determination of whether to publish the submission.