Criminal Law

Second Edition

Katheryn Russell-Brown - University of Florida, Levin College of Law, Northwestern University, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Angela J. Davis - American University, Washington College of Law

Courses:
Criminal Law | Criminal Law | Introduction to Criminal Justice

August 2025 | 440 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

Criminal Law, Second Edition provides your students with an understanding of the U.S criminal justice system, using a sociological framework that illustrates how criminal law and the justice system impact the real world. Throughout the text, case excerpts and detailed summaries highlight key principles of criminal law, offering a thorough and engaging exploration of complex concepts.

Available Formats

ISBN: 9781544375663	Paperback	Suggested Retail Price: $156.00	Bookstore Price: $124.80
ISBN: 9781544375632	Electronic Version	Suggested Retail Price: $91.00	Bookstore Price: $72.80

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Preface

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

Chapter 1: Introduction and Overview of Criminal Law

Introduction

Criminal Law Terms and Concepts

Sources of Criminal Law

Classifications, Distinctions, and Limitations in Criminal Law

Crime and People in the Criminal Legal System

The Structure and Process of the Criminal Legal System

Briefing a Case

Concluding Note

Key Terms and Cases

Chapter 2: Constitutional Limitations on Criminal Laws

Introduction

First Amendment

Second Amendment

Fifth Amendment

Eighth Amendment

Fourteenth Amendment

Right to Privacy

Ex post Facto Laws & Bills of Attainder

Concluding Note

Key Terms and Cases

Chapter 3: Elements of a Crime & Parties to a Crime

Introduction

A Voluntary Act (Actus Reus)

Guilty State of Mind (Mens Rea)

Concurrence and Causation

Strict Liability

Parties to a Crime

Concluding Note

Key Terms and Cases

Chapter 4: Inchoate Crimes

Introduction

Attempt

Solicitation

Conspiracy

Merger Doctrine

Offenses with Inchoate Features

Concluding Note

Key Terms and Cases

Chapter 5: Theft and Other Property Crimes

Introduction

Larceny and Theft

Embezzlement

False Pretenses

Burglary

Arson

White-Collar Crime

Concluding Note

Key Terms and Cases

Chapter 6: Public Order Crimes and Offenses Against Public Decency

Introduction

Public Order Crimes

Crimes Against Public Decency

Drugs

Concluding Note

Key Terms and Cases

Chapter 7: Rape and Other Violent Crimes

Introduction

Rape and Other Sexual Assaults

Robbery

Kidnapping

Assault and Battery

Concluding Note

Key Terms and Cases

Chapter 8: Criminal Homicide

Introduction

Definitions

Intentional Killings

Unintentional Killings

Felony Murder

Concluding Note

Key Terms and Cases

Chapter 9: State-Involved Crimes

Introduction

Crimes Against the State

Crimes Committed by Public Officials

Offenses Against Public Officials and Employees

Concluding Note

Key Terms and Cases

Chapter 10: Justification Defenses

Introduction

Types of Defenses

Defensive Force

Duress and Necessity

Concluding Note

Key Terms and Cases

Chapter 11: Excuse Defenses

Introduction

Competency and Insanity

Infancy

Intoxication

Syndrome “Defenses”

Cultural Defenses

Concluding Note

Key Terms and Cases

Chapter 12: Punishment and Sentencing

Introduction

Punishment

Prisoners’ Rights

Sentencing

Concluding Note

Key Terms and Cases

Appendix: U.S. Constitution, Selected Sections

Glossary

Index

Key features

KEY FEATURES:

An interdisciplinary, thematic approach exposes students to the laws, cases, data, and research that explain how criminal law and the justice system operate today within an interconnected society
Unique organization presents the chapter material in the order criminal cases unfold as they proceed through the justice system
Up-to-date coverage of current topics such as campus crime and offenses committed by justice system professionals
Case material (excerpts and summaries) allows for the application of criminal law principles to real-world scenarios, which represent a diverse realm of social positions in regard to class, race, gender, national origin, religion, age, and sexual orientation and drawn from local, state, and federal jurisdictions
Contemporary, headline-making cases, incidents, and issues such as the Duke Lacrosse rape case, the Central Park Five case, the Bernie Madoff case, and the 9/11 attacks address key concepts raised within each chapter
A guide for case briefs will assist those who are reading court cases for the first time
An Issue Spotter feature presents students with an opportunity for meaningful review of the chapter material by presenting a scenario and asking students to spot the relevant legal issues posed and, in some instances, to take the perspective of a prosecutor, defense attorney, or legal researcher
Legal glossary defines important terms essential to understanding the concepts
A free, open-access Student Study Site and password-protected Instructor Site feature an impressive array of tools and resources for review, study, and further exploration, keeping both instructors and students engaged

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Criminal Law

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