Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 345.7305
EAN num: 9780873375511
ISBN number: 0873375513
Label: Nolo
Manufacturer: Nolo
Printing Date: 2000-02
Publishing house: Nolo
Sale Popularity Level: 2698301
Studio: Nolo
Other books you might be interested in perusing:
Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
What happens when you are accused of a crime? How are you charged? How do plea bargains work? What happens in court? Now everyone who needs answers to these questions--people accused of a crime, victims of crime, their families and friends, witnesses and those of us who want to know how the system works--has a place to turn for the answers.
Learn exactly what goes on in a criminal case. The easy-to-follow question-and-answer format covers arrests, booking, preliminary hearings, charges, bail, courts, arraignment, searches, defenses, evidence, trials, plea bargains, sentencing, juveniles and much more.
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers 
-
Although the style of the book mimics that of "Represent Yourself In Court" by the same author, its substance is quite thin. It does not seem that sticking with a particular style had helped the author in this case. Many definitions are lacking, both in the body of chapters and in the index. Under the topic "theft" for example, the act of forgery is inferred from misrepresentation or conversion. Then the topic is cut short as if the author had suffered fatigue. Attempting to study a specific topic in criminal law would not get you too far by this book.
The stories and examples also did not help make the book useful. Too many stories blunt the flow of thoughts when attempting to follow the logic of specific legal entity. Since the book is not intended of do it yourself manual, the author is less effective in presenting an attractive reference by adopting his particular style of examples, bulleted items, and summation tables. Or, may be the area of criminal law is too specialized for amateurs.
Its historical analysis of how the criminal law grew, is also less attractive by virtue of its reliance of stories and large white space that make it hard to sum up historical landmarks in a concise length of paragraphs. There is little if any logical flow from one chapter to the other. That is not the case with its cousin, where one expects and finds subsequent chapters and subchapters very well connected and leading to a coherent outcome.
Mohamed F. El-Hewie
Author of
Essentials of Weightlifting and Strength Training
Rated by buyers 
-
I'm currently busy writing my second mystery novel and can't say how much this book has helped me as a simple guide to getting things right when it comes to police procedure or the court system. It may be a lay persons guide but it either answers my questions or puts me on the right track in finding more in depth information when warranted. The digital edition is especially handy when I'm sitting at my computer because I can keep it open while I'm using my word processing program and refer to it with a simple keystroke.
Rated by buyers -
The law can be a dry and dull read, but these authors have introduced just enough humour to make the effort worthwhile. The names of almost every party in the numerous cases sprinkled throughout the book are puns or double entendres, and some of them are a little tricky to figure out, making for a nice diversion when the subject might otherwise have been tedious.
The whole arrangement of the book is meant to reflect the entire legal process and is extremely logical and accessible. It is excellently cross-referenced and makes frequent reference to the relevant sections of state and federal laws. The writing style is conversational and quite readable.
The authors take great pains to comment on those aspects of law that vary from state to state, which I found helpful considering how I was raised in one state and now live in another and took certain things for granted.
All the legal terms that are introduced are carefully explained, and facsimiles of the various legal documents, such as search and arrest warrants, are included at the end of each chapter.
One unusual feature that shows the depth of the authors' treatment is how they comment on the emotional state that defendants, victims and court personnel are typically in at various stages of the proceedings. They use this to explain how that may influence people's behavior and argue for or against certain courses of action, such as talking to police alone or waiting for a lawyer to arrive, etc.
Rated by buyers -
This book provides an excellent overview of criminal law for the layperson. The authors provide a sound overview of complex topics without getting bogged down in the endless minutia inherent to criminal law.
It is also refreshing that the authors do not waste the reader's time by interjecting ideological and social policy opinions into the book.
Whether your interest in criminal law arises from intellectual curiousity or from finding yourself "in the system", I don't believe you will find a better introductory book than this.
Rated by buyers -
An excellent source book for "getting it right" for lay persons who want to "cut to the quick" in the search for answers to legal problems concerning the criminal law system. No mumbo jumbo legalese here, just straight talk in plain English. Kudos to you and your effort.
Find other books like this one:
