Essential Criminal Law

NEW TO THIS EDITION:

• Recent events are critically examined with regard to criminal law, such as the rise of hate crimes, the debate over the Second Amendment and gun control, the hackings related to the 2016 and 2018 elections, the opioid epidemic, and terrorism recruitment.
• New edited cases explore crucial issues such as the possession of narcotics in a school zone, resisting arrest, street gangs and terrorism, justifications for driving under the influence of alcohol, aggravated kidnapping, and malicious mischief.
• Coverage of timely topics with additional illustrative examples include warrantless GPS tracking of individuals, possession of computer files, the difference between reckless and negligent intent, the natural and probable causes doctrine, the insanity defense, revisions to felony murder laws, fraudulent representation of identity, and rape.
• New opening vignettes discuss important topics like elder abuse, rape and withdrawal of consent, cybercrime, sex offender’s use of social media, and freedom of expression.
• New You Decide boxes examine fresh issues such as gender disparity under the law, involuntary manslaughter, attempted murder, shoplifting in a self-service store, and aggravated identity theft.
• New Criminal Law in the News and Criminal Law and Public Policy sections explore recent topics including the use of lethal injection, mental illness and crime, the use of rap music as evidence of a defendant’s criminal intent, fraternity hazing, and Stand Your Ground Laws.

KEY FEATURES:

• Edited cases build critical thinking skills and expand students’ legal vocabulary by asking them to analyze and discuss cases that relate to the chapter material.
• Chapter-opening vignettes offer students a real-world issue in criminal law to consider while they learn new chapter concepts.
• Excerpts from the Model Penal Code are analyzed to help students understand the legal terminology and definitions of crimes.
• You Decide boxes challenge students to put their own legal reasoning into action by answering questions about novel fact patterns based on actual appellate cases.
• Legal equation illustrations aid visual learners and make the text even more approachable.
• Criminal Law in the News and Criminal Law and Public Policy sections engage students by tying chapter material with current developments in law to deepen their understanding of how criminal law functions in the real world.