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

Mitchell, Gregory; Klein, David

ISBN 10: 1634598792 / ISBN 13: 9781634598798

Published by West Academic Publishing, 2016

About this Item

Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable. Any access codes or passwords originally included with the book may be expired, used or no longer valid. Image is stock photo and cover art edition may be different than pictured.

Seller Inventory # MERV.1634598792.A

Bibliographic Details

• Title: American Courts Explained: A Detailed Introduction to the Legal Process Using Real Cases (Higher Education Coursebook)
• Publisher: West Academic Publishing
• Publication Date: 2016
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1634598792
• ISBN 13: 9781634598798
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: acceptable

About this title

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.

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