Criminal Law and Procedure: A Courtroom Approach

Written by a former federal prosecutor and public defender, Criminal Law and Procedure: A Courtroom Approach introduces students to the essentials of criminal law and procedure by illuminating the legal issues justice professionals face before, during, and after a criminal trial. Through the examination of statutes, edited case excerpts, and recent constitutional interpretation of black letter law, the text bridges the gap between learning criminal procedure and applying criminal law. Drawing from author Stephanie A. Jirard’s vast experience in both the courtroom and the classroom, Criminal Law and Procedure gets students to think critically about real-world issues and practice applying the law in a just and meaningful way. Accessible and engaging, this text presents criminal law and procedure as an exciting opportunity to have a direct, positive impact on our communities and the criminal justice system.   Key Features: "Making the Courtroom Connection" boxes help students apply the legal concepts they learn to real-life issues facing law enforcement, the court system, and correctional institutions today. Edited case excerpts connect criminal law and procedure with current case material on relevant topics so students can see the impact of judicial decision making. "Applying the Law to the Facts" boxes engage students’ critical thinking skills and enhance their logical problem-solving abilities by providing opportunities to apply the rule of law to different scenarios. "Springboard for Discussion" prompts spark conversations and invite students to contrast the moral, ethical, and legal implications of criminal law and procedure in a larger context. Problem-solving exercises at the end of each chapter provide students with opportunities to test themselves on the material before a formal assessment. Active Learning Exercises in the Instructor’s Manual enable professors to offer additional opportunities for experiential learning. Give your students the SAGE edge! SAGE edge offers a robust online environment featuring an impressive array of free tools and resources for review, study, and further exploration, keeping both instructors and students on the cutting edge of teaching and learning.

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgments About the Author PART I. THE BASICS: HOW THE LAW WORKS CHAPTER 1. Introduction to the Law Learning Objectives Sources of Criminal Law How to Read Statutes and Case Briefs The Geography of Legal Cases The Actors in the Criminal Justice System Protecting Citizens and Criminal Justice Professionals Federalism and States’ Rights Summary Key Terms and Phrases Problem-Solving Exercises CHAPTER 2. THE CRIMINAL TRIAL PROCESS Learning Objectives Pretrial Identification Procedures The Adversary System Trial How a Case Gets to the U.S. Supreme Court Summary Key Terms and Phrases Problem-Solving Exercises CHAPTER 3. CRIMINAL LAW BASICS Learning Objectives Mens Rea: The Guilty Mind Actus Reus: The Guilty Act Causation Parties to Crime Inchoate Crimes Summary Key Terms and Phrases Problem-Solving Exercises PART II. THE CRIMES: CRIMINAL LAW ELEMENTS CHAPTER 4. CRIMES AGAINST THE PERSON Learning Objectives Crimes Against the Person Sex Offenses Homicide Robbery Summary Key Terms and Phrases Problem-Solving Exercises CHAPTER 5. CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY Learning Objectives Theft Crimes White-Collar Crime Burglary Arson Summary Key Terms and Phrases Problem-Solving Exercises CHAPTER 6. CRIMES AGAINST THE PUBLIC Learning Objectives Crimes Against the Public Crimes That Interfere With Government Services Computer Crimes Terrorism Treason Summary Key Terms and Phrases Problem-Solving Exercises PART III. THE PROCEDURE: THE BILL OF RIGHTS CHAPTER 7. THE FOURTH AMENDMENT AND WARRANTS Learning Objectives The Fourth Amendment Seizures of the Person The Warrant Requirement Summary Key Terms and Phrases Problem-Solving Exercises CHAPTER 8. EXCEPTIONS TO THE WARRANT REQUIREMENT Learning Objectives Warrantless Searches and Seizures The Exclusionary Rule and the Good Faith Exception Summary Key Terms and Phrases Problem-Solving Exercises CHAPTER 9. THE FIFTH AMENDMENT AND CONFESSIONS Learning Objectives The Evolution of Miranda Warnings Invoking the Rights Pursuant to Miranda When Miranda is Violated Summary Key Terms and Phrases Problem-Solving Exercises CHAPTER 10. THE SIXTH AMENDMENT: COUNSEL AND TRIAL RIGHTS Learning Objectives The Sixth Amendment as Due Process Protection Invoking the Right to Counsel The Criminal Case Summary Key Terms and Phrases Problem-Solving Exercises PART IV. THE PERSONAL: OFFENDER-SPECIFIC PUNISHMENT CHAPTER 11. THE FIRST AMENDMENT AND CRIMINAL LAW Learning Objectives Protected Speech Unprotected Speech Special First Amendment Issues Freedom of Association Freedom of Religion Summary Key Terms and Phrases Problem-Solving Exercises CHAPTER 12. DEFENSES Learning Objectives How Defenses Are Raised Competency Defenses Based on Excuse Defenses Based on Justification Summary Key Terms and Phrases Problem-Solving Exercises CHAPTER 13. SENTENCING AND APPEALS Learning Objectives Sentencing Process Types of Sentences The Death Penalty The Appellate Process Summary Key Terms and Phrases Problem-Solving Exercises Appendix A: The Constitution of the United States of America Appendix B: Selected Excerpts From the Model Penal Code Glossary Notes Case Index Subject Index

About the Author :
A Massachusetts native, Stephanie A. Jirard is a Professor of Criminal Justice at Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania.  She received her A.B. in History from Cornell University, her J.D. from Boston College Law School, and her M.A. in Applied History at Shippensburg.  She is a former Lieutenant in the United States Navy’s Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps, where she defended sailors and Marines at courts-martial across the state of Louisiana.  At the Navy’s personnel headquarters in Washington, D.C, Jirard provided legal counsel in family and child sexual abuse matters.  After leaving the Navy, Jirard was a Trial Attorney at the United States Department of Justice, Civil Division, Torts Branch, defending the federal government across the country in environmental and human radiation experiment lawsuits.  She also served as an Assistant United States Attorney and an Assistant Federal Public Defender, both in the District of Massachusetts.  Jirard’s last litigation post was serving as an Assistant State Public Defender in the Capital Litigation Unit in Columbia, Missouri, representing men in death-penalty cases.  Jirard has published on race and politics, the Civil War’s U.S. Colored Troops, missing women, cyberbullying, and sex scandals.  This is her second textbook on Criminal Law and Procedure.

Review :
"Concise and professional yet motivational for student learning and instructor engagement. I think the examples, activities, and scenarios are the critical pieces that make this text stand out." "Clear, engaging and written well…easy to follow for students and instructors. It is a very thorough text and I like how the text presents the rule of law…" "One of the best textbooks I have seen in this field.  Not only is it set up well, but it clearly explains the theories and rules of law and supports the information presented with case law and rule life applications." "Excellent, new approach to connecting criminal procedure and law with current case material and relevant topics for new generational learners. It is different than most criminal procedure textbooks available in that it is modern and provides good context for new generation learners."