Criminal Law and Procedure: An Overview

STREAMLINED, CLEAR PRESENTATION CHALLENGES STUDENTS WHILE EQUIPPING THEM TO SUCCEED. This text effectively balances brevity and clarity with a thorough presentation that focuses on the concepts and practices your student need to understand.

BRIEF EXCERTS FROM IMPORTANT COURT CASES ENSURE COMPREHENSION. Excerpts from court cases throughout this book help students fully understand important rulings without extraneous, and possibly distracting, detail.

WEALTH OF CASES ILLUSTRATE KEY CONCEPTS. New and varied cases throughout this edition clearly demonstrate legal principles and concepts in actual practice today.

COVERAGE OF CONTEMPORARY TOPICS ADDRESSES ISSUES IN THE NEWS TODAY. Students will find discussions of electronic video surveillance and the Patriot Act, the Model Penal Code, terrorism, the "federalization" of criminal procedure, the right to die and assisted suicide as well as coverage of the triggerman concept in capital cases.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS DEMONSTRATE THE BOOK'S THEORIES AT WORK IN PROFESSIONAL SETTINGS. Jury instructions, sample documents and other exhibits and memorable examples demonstrate how theories discussed in each chapter are actually applied in law today.

CONCEPT SUMMARY CHARTS PROVIDE QUICK REFERENCE TO ESSENTIAL TOPICS. Readers are able to efficiently compare and contrast key points covered in each chapter with the help of useful Concept Summaries.

COMPANION WEBSITE INCLUDES A WEALTH OF ONLINE RESOURCES. Your students will find additional trusted online resources and the latest court rulings for further exploration and study on the book's invaluable Companion Website.

NEW LEARNING OBJECTIVES FOCUS READERS' ATTENTION ON KEY CONCEPTS WITHIN EACH CHAPTER. Specific Learning Objectives reinforce the most important concepts and law practices within each chapter to direct students' review and study.

NEW PRACTICE EXERCISES AND ESSAYS HELP READERS APPLY CONCEPTS IN HANDS-ON ENVIRONMENT. Updated discussion questions and practice exercises encourage critical thinking about key legal issues. Two new essay assignments in every chapter provide opportunities to frame detailed arguments and demonstrate comprehension.

NEW "SIDEBAR" FEATURES ADD CURRENT PERSPECTIVE ON KEY LEGAL CONCEPTS. Newly-created Sidebars highlight and clarify significant concepts from the chapter to increase legal understanding.

FRESH EMPHASIS ON EXCERPTS OF STATUTES HELPS READERS FULLY UNDERSTAND LEGAL CHANGES AND RULINGS. The authors have thoroughly updated the text with new excerpts and explanations to ensure students gain a full understanding of criminal law practices today.

UPDATED ILLUSTRATIONS, SAMPLE FORMS, AND MEANINGFUL EXHIBITS CLARIFY KEY POINTS. Recognized for a clear, reader-focused presentation, this edition continues to clarify even the most difficult legal concepts and rulings with useful illustrations, sample forms, and new informative exhibits.