American Courts Explained: A Detailed Introduction to the Legal Process Using Real Cases (Higher Education Coursebook) - Softcover

Mitchell, Gregory; Klein, David

 
9781634598798: American Courts Explained: A Detailed Introduction to the Legal Process Using Real Cases (Higher Education Coursebook)
Softcover
ISBN 10: 1634598792 ISBN 13: 9781634598798
Publisher: West Academic Publishing, 2016

Synopsis

American Courts Explained takes students on a detailed tour of American courts by following two real cases―one criminal, one civil―from the events that gave rise to them, through pre-trial proceedings, jury trials, and appeals. Along the way there are stops in state and federal trial and appellate courts, as well as the U.S. Supreme Court. It introduces readers to major debates relating to the courts: How "political" are judges? How well do different methods of selecting judges work? Do ordinary people have adequate access to lawyers? Should we trust jurors to decide complex and emotional cases? But it presents these debates in the context of actual cases so that readers can see why these debates matter to the parties, lawyers, judges, and jurors. The conviction behind this approach is that students learn best when engaged by vivid, interesting cases with details that make abstract debates and difficult legal concepts meaningful and easier to understand.

By the end of this book, readers will find that the judicial process has been demystified. They will have a firm understanding of what litigants, lawyers and judges do, will understand the structure and procedure of American civil and criminal courts, will see the purposes served by judicial rules and procedures, and will see what effect these rules, and procedures have on the outcomes of cases. Readers will have acquired the knowledge needed to critically evaluate the legal institutions we have and proposals for changing them.

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Review

This is a well-written text that I believe is essential reading for any layperson who wants to understand the nuts and bolts of legal procedure. It is also essential reading for one contemplating a career as a paralegal or considering a career in law. It is easily accessible for an undergraduate audience. - Sheldon Goldman, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, University of Massachusetts Amherst

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Publisher
West Academic Publishing
Publication date
2016
Language
English
ISBN 10 
1634598792
ISBN 13 
9781634598798
Binding
Paperback
Edition number
1
Number of pages
260