ABSTRACT
In this chapter we shall be considering symbolic interactionist work on the administration or 'construction' of justice. We begin by introducing the interactionist tradition of inquiry into the role of 'accounts' in social action, with particular reference to excuses and justifications offered by defendan ts in court. We then consider lawyers' application of conceptions of delinquents in courtroom interaction before turning to studies of the organizational context of the work of lawyers and judges in plea negotiation and sentencing. Fourthly, we examine the professional dominance thesis in relation to lawyer-client and court-defendant interaction.
