美國刑事訴訟制度頗富特色，尤其受其憲法影響甚大。本文之目的在探究 其特色、基本原則並與美國民事訴訟及外國刑事訴訟制度作比較。同時就各階 段之程序細節，自拘捕、搜索、扣押起，至自認、預審、起訴、認罪協商、證 據開示、審判庭之舉行、陪審之裁決、如何定罪科刑、上訴、如何假釋、被害 人如何救濟等各階段，逐一加以剖析，此外亦對證人保護、妨礙司法、社區服 務、被害人之保護等問題，一併加以探討。

American criminal procedure is deeply influenced by its Constitutional manadates of Bill of Rights and has certain impacts upon our law. This article attempts to explore its features, basic principles and make comparison with civil law countries and U.K. as well as its civil procedure. In order to give the readers a clear picture of how its whole criminal process really works, all stages beginning from arrest to appeal are also examined .Moreover, certain special programs of American criminal procedure such as witness's protection, community service, victim's protection ....are also dealt in detail.