Synopses & Reviews
Take the mystery out of criminal law. Criminal law can be a maze of conflicting principles, strange jargon, and confusing procedures. Professor Paul Bergman unravels the mysteries with an engaging plain-English style that incorporates real-life examples, famous films, and entertaining hypotheticals. From arraignment through sentencing, from "abuse excuse" to vigilante, this handy desk reference explains it all. You'll get answers to questions such as:When can police officers enter your home? Is cyber-bullying illegal? Is intoxication ever a criminal defense? What are the "fruits of the poisonous tree"? Can the police search your car?Criminal Law: A Desk Reference will assist students, bloggers, journalists, mystery writers, and anyone else interested in the criminal justice system or law enforcement.
Synopsis
Criminal law in plain-English.
The criminal justice system becomes increasingly complex each year with new laws affecting legal processes.The Criminal Law Handbook explains every part of a criminal case including:
arrests booking preliminary hearings charges bail arraignment search and seizure plea bargains sentencing juveniles The revised 12th edition covers the latest changes in criminal and U.S Supreme Court cases. Written by the authors of Represent Yourself in Court, Paul Bergman, J.D. and Sara Berman, J.D. try{F5_flush(document);}catch(e){}
About the Author
Paul Bergman is a Professor of Law at the UCLA School of Law and a recipient of a University Distinguished Teaching Award. His recent books include Reel Justice: The Courtroom Goes to the Movies (Andrews and McMeel); Trial Advocacy: Inferences, Arguments, Techniques (with Moore and Binder, West Publishing Co.); and Represent Yourself In Court and The Criminal Law Handbook (both with Sara Berman, Nolo). He has also published numerous articles in law journals and regularly gives presentations on how law and lawyers are portrayed in film. His blog on the criminal justice system can be found at The Rap Sheet: Nolo's Criminal Law Blog.try{F5_flush(document);}catch(e){}
Sara J. Berman is a professor at Concord Law School and co-founder of PASS Bar Review. She is the co-author of Represent Yourself in Court and The Criminal Law Handbook and the author of numerous articles and law course materials.
Table of Contents
Introduction: A Walk-Through of the Case of State v. Andrea Davidson, a Fictional Robbery Prosecution 1. Talking to the Police
Police Questioning of People Who Havent Been Taken Into Custody Police Questioning of Arrestees 2. Search and Seizure The Constitutional Background Search Warrants Consent Searches The Plain View Doctrine Warrantless Searches Incident to Arrest “Stop and Frisk” Searches Searches of Cars and Occupants Warrantless Searches or Entries Under Emergency (Exigent) Circumstances Miscellaneous Warrantless Searches 3. Arrest: When It Happens, What It Means General Arrest Principles Arrest Warrants Warrantless Arrests Use of Force When Making Arrests Citizens Arrests 4. Eyewitness Identification: Psychology and Procedures An Overview of Eyewitness Identification Procedures The Psychology of Eyewitness Identification Lineups Showups Photo Identifications Motions to Suppress Identifications 5. Booking and Bail: Checking In and Out of Jail The Booking Process Arranging for Bail Own Recognizance Release (Release O.R.) 6. From Suspect to Defendant Crime and Criminal Cases To Charge or Not to Charge, That Is the Question The Mechanics of Charging Grand Juries Diversion 7. Criminal Defense Lawyers Do I Need a Lawyer? Court-Appointed Attorneys Private Defense Attorneys Self-Representation 8. Understanding the Attorney-Client Relationship in a Criminal Case Confidentiality Client-Centered Decision Making Lawyer-Client Communication Representing Guilty Defendants Competent Clients 9. A Walk Through Criminal Court The Courthouse The Courtroom The Courtroom Players Courtroom Behavior 10. Arraignments Arraignment Basics Self-Representation at Arraignment 11. Developing the Defense Strategy Overview How the Defendants Version of Events May Limit Defense Strategies When Attorneys Ignore a Defendants Version of Events The Importance of Honesty in Developing a Defense Strategy 12. Crimespeak: Understanding the Language of Criminal Laws Mens Rea The Meaning of Frequently Used Legal Language Derivative Criminal Responsibility Murder and Manslaughter Sexual Violence Burglary Robbery Theft Hate Crimes The Patriot Act White Collar Crimes 13. Defensespeak: Common Defenses to Criminal Charges Prosecutors Failure to Prove Guilt “Partial” Defenses Self-Defense Alibi Insanity Intoxication (Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol) Entrapment Jury Nullification 14. Discovery: Exchanging Information With the Prosecution Modern Discovery Policy Discovery of Information Helpful to the Defense Discovery of Harmful Information Reciprocal Discovery 15. Investigating the Facts Interviewing Prosecution Witnesses Finding and Interviewing Defense Witnesses Other Investigation Tasks and Their Costs 16. Preliminary Hearings What Preliminary Hearings Are and When They Are Held Basic Rights During Preliminary Hearings Common Defense and Prosecution Strategies 17. Fundamental Trial Rights of the Defense The Defendants Right to Due Process of Law The Prosecutions Burden of Proof The Defendants Right to Remain Silent The Defendants Right to Confront Witnesses The Defendants (and the Medias) Right to a Public Trial A Defendants Right to a Jury Trial A Defendants Right to Counsel A Defendants Right to a Speedy Trial The Defendants Right Not to Be Placed in Double Jeopardy 18. Basic Evidence Rules in Criminal Trials Overview Rules Regulating the Content of Testimony Rules Regulating the Manner of Testimony Scientific Evidence Privileged (Confidential) Information 19. Motions and Their Role in Criminal Cases Basic Procedures Common Pretrial Motions Motions During Trial Posttrial Motions 20. Plea Bargains: How Most Criminal Cases End Plea Bargaining—Terminology and Timing The Pros and Cons of Plea Bargains The Plea Bargaining Process The Strategy of Negotiating Plea Bargains 21. The Trial Process Summary of the Trial Process Choosing a Judge or Jury Trial Jury Voir Dire Motions in Limine Opening Statements Prosecutions Case-in-Chief Direct Examination of Witnesses Cross-Examination Defense Motion to Dismiss Defendants Case-in-Chief Closing Argument Instructing the Jury Jury Deliberations and Verdict 22. Sentencing Overview of Sentencing Sentencing Procedures Sentence Options Community Service Miscellaneous Alternative Sentences The Death Penalty 23. Appeals Appeals Writs 24. How the Criminal Justice System Works Questions and Answers About DUI (Driving Under the Influence) DUI Case Examples 25. Juvenile Courts and Procedures A Brief History of U.S. Juvenile Courts Juvenile Court Jurisdiction Deciding Whether to File Charges The Right to Counsel and Other Constitutional Rights Trying Juveniles as Adults Sentencing (Disposition) Options Sealing Juvenile Court Records 26. Prisoners Rules Prisons and Prisoners Rights Legal Resources for Prisoners and Their Families Parole Pardons 27. Looking Up the Law What to Research Where to Do Research Glossary Indextry{F5_flush(document);}catch(e){}