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Essential Criminal Law
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Essential Criminal Law

Third Edition


August 2019 | 408 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
Essential Criminal Law provides a highly accessible introduction to U.S. criminal law that helps students, including those with no prior exposure to case law, build their legal reasoning skills. Drawing from more than 30 years of teaching experience, best-selling author Matthew Lippman guides readers through the complexities of the legal system using thought-provoking examples of real-life crimes and legal defenses, along with approachable case analyses. The Third Edition keep readers up to date with coverage of timely topics and the most current developments in criminal law and public policy.

 
PREFACE
CHAPTER ORGANIZATION

 
ORGANIZATION OF THE TEXT

 
DIGITAL RESOURCES

 
THIRD EDITION

 
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

 
 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
 
CHAPTER 1 The Nature, Purpose, and Function of Criminal Law
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: TRUE OR FALSE?

 
INTRODUCTION

 
THE NATURE OF CRIMINAL LAW

 
CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAW

 
THE PURPOSE OF CRIMINAL LAW

 
THE PRINCIPLES OF CRIMINAL LAW

 
CATEGORIES OF CRIME

 
SOURCES OF CRIMINAL LAW

 
THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS

 
THE STRUCTURE OF THE FEDERAL AND STATE COURT SYSTEMS

 
PRECEDENT

 
CHAPTER SUMMARY

 
CHAPTER REVIEW QUESTIONS

 
LEGAL TERMINOLOGY

 
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: ANSWERS

 
 
CHAPTER 2 Constitutional Limitations
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: TRUE OR FALSE?

 
INTRODUCTION

 
RULE OF LEGALITY

 
BILLS OF ATTAINDER AND EX POST FACTO LAWS

 
STATUTORY CLARITY

 
EQUAL PROTECTION

 
THE BILL OF RIGHTS

 
FREEDOM OF SPEECH

 
FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY

 
TIME, PLACE, AND MANNER RESTRICTIONS

 
FREEDOM OF RELIGION

 
PRIVACY

 
THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS

 
CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT

 
CASE ANALYSIS

 
CHAPTER SUMMARY

 
CHAPTER REVIEW QUESTIONS

 
LEGAL TERMINOLOGY

 
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: ANSWERS

 
 
CHAPTER 3 Elements of Crimes
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: TRUE OR FALSE?

 
INTRODUCTION

 
CRIMINAL ACTS AND THOUGHTS

 
A VOLUNTARY CRIMINAL ACT

 
STATUS

 
OMISSIONS

 
POSSESSION

 
MENS REA CRIMINAL INTENT

 
GENERAL AND SPECIFIC INTENT

 
INTENT UNDER THE MODEL PENAL CODE

 
TRANSFERRED INTENT

 
STRICT LIABILITY OFFENSES

 
CONCURRENCE OF ACT AND INTENT

 
CAUSALITY

 
CASE ANALYSIS

 
CHAPTER SUMMARY

 
CHAPTER REVIEW QUESTIONS

 
LEGAL TERMINOLOGY

 
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: ANSWERS

 
 
CHAPTER 4 Parties to Crime
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: TRUE OR FALSE?

 
INTRODUCTION

 
PARTIES TO A CRIME

 
ACTUS REUS OF ACCOMPLICE LIABILITY

 
MENS REA OF ACCOMPLICE LIABILITY

 
ACCESSORY AFTER THE FACT

 
VICARIOUS LIABILITY

 
CASE ANALYSIS

 
CHAPTER SUMMARY

 
CHAPTER REVIEW QUESTIONS

 
LEGAL TERMINOLOGY

 
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: ANSWERS

 
 
CHAPTER 5 Attempt, Solicitation, and Conspiracy
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: TRUE OR FALSE?

 
INTRODUCTION

 
ATTEMPT

 
IMPOSSIBILITY

 
ABANDONMENT

 
SOLICITATION

 
CONSPIRACY

 
CASE ANALYSIS

 
CHAPTER SUMMARY

 
CHAPTER REVIEW QUESTIONS

 
LEGAL TERMINOLOGY

 
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: ANSWERS

 
 
CHAPTER 6 Criminal Defenses: Justifications and Excuses
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: TRUE OR FALSE?

 
INTRODUCTION

 
JUSTIFICATIONS AND EXCUSES

 
DEFENSES BASED ON A LACK OF CAPACITY TO COMMIT A CRIME

 
DEFENSES BASED ON JUSTIFICATION OR EXCUSE

 
DEFENSES JUSTIFYING THE USE OF FORCE

 
DEFENSES BASED ON GOVERNMENTAL MISCONDUCT

 
NEW DEFENSES

 
CASE ANALYSIS

 
CHAPTER SUMMARY

 
CHAPTER REVIEW QUESTIONS

 
LEGAL TERMINOLOGY

 
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: ANSWERS

 
 
CHAPTER 7 Homicide
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: TRUE OR FALSE?

 
INTRODUCTION

 
TYPES OF CRIMINAL HOMICIDE

 
ACTUS REUS AND CRIMINAL HOMICIDE

 
MENS REA AND CRIMINAL HOMICIDE

 
MURDER

 
MANSLAUGHTER

 
THE BEGINNING OF HUMAN LIFE

 
THE END OF HUMAN LIFE

 
THE YEAR-AND-A-DAY RULE

 
CORPUS DELICTI

 
CASE ANALYSIS

 
CHAPTER SUMMARY

 
CHAPTER REVIEW QUESTIONS

 
LEGAL TERMINOLOGY

 
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: ANSWERS

 
 
CHAPTER 8 Other Crimes Against the Person
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: TRUE OR FALSE?

 
INTRODUCTION

 
ASSAULT AND BATTERY

 
STALKING

 
THE COMMON LAW OF RAPE

 
SEXUAL BATTERY

 
KIDNAPPING

 
FALSE IMPRISONMENT

 
CASE ANALYSIS

 
CHAPTER SUMMARY

 
CHAPTER REVIEW QUESTIONS

 
LEGAL TERMINOLOGY

 
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: ANSWERS

 
 
CHAPTER 9 Crimes Against Property
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: TRUE OR FALSE?

 
INTRODUCTION

 
LARCENY

 
EMBEZZLEMENT

 
FALSE PRETENSES

 
THEFT

 
RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY

 
FORGERY AND UTTERING

 
ROBBERY

 
CARJACKING

 
EXTORTION

 
BURGLARY

 
TRESPASS

 
ARSON

 
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

 
CASE ANALYSIS

 
CHAPTER SUMMARY

 
CHAPTER REVIEW QUESTIONS

 
LEGAL TERMINOLOGY

 
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: ANSWERS

 
 
CHAPTER 10 White-Collar and Organized Crime
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: TRUE OR FALSE?

 
INTRODUCTION

 
CORPORATE CRIMINAL LIABILITY

 
ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES

 
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH

 
SECURITIES FRAUD

 
MAIL AND WIRE FRAUD

 
THE TRAVEL ACT

 
HEALTH CARE FRAUD

 
ANTITRUST VIOLATIONS

 
IDENTITY THEFT

 
ACCESS DEVICE FRAUD

 
MONEY LAUNDERING

 
CURRENCY VIOLATIONS

 
TAX CRIME

 
COMPUTER CRIME

 
THEFT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

 
THEFT OF TRADE SECRETS

 
RACKETEER INFLUENCED AND CORRUPT ORGANIZATIONS

 
CASE ANALYSIS

 
CHAPTER SUMMARY

 
CHAPTER REVIEW QUESTIONS

 
LEGAL TERMINOLOGY

 
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: ANSWERS

 
 
CHAPTER 11 Crimes Against Public Order and Morality
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: TRUE OR FALSE?

 
INTRODUCTION

 
DISORDERLY CONDUCT

 
RIOT

 
PUBLIC INDECENCIES: QUALITY-OF-LIFE CRIMES

 
VAGRANCY AND LOITERING

 
HOMELESSNESS

 
GANGS

 
THE OVERREACH OF CRIMINAL LAW

 
PROSTITUTION

 
OBSCENITY

 
CASE ANALYSIS

 
CHAPTER SUMMARY

 
CHAPTER REVIEW QUESTIONS

 
LEGAL TERMINOLOGY

 
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: ANSWERS

 
 
CHAPTER 12 Crimes Against Social Order and Morality: Alcohol and Drug Offenses
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: TRUE OR FALSE?

 
INTRODUCTION

 
ALCOHOL OFFENSES

 
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES

 
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

 
CASE ANALYSIS

 
CHAPTER SUMMARY

 
CHAPTER REVIEW QUESTIONS

 
LEGAL TERMINOLOGY

 
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: ANSWERS

 
 
CHAPTER 13 Offenses Against Public Administration and the Administration of Justice
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: TRUE OR FALSE?

 
INTRODUCTION

 
OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT

 
BRIBERY

 
COMMERCIAL BRIBERY

 
SPORTS BRIBERY

 
FOREIGN CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT

 
EXTORTION

 
PERJURY

 
OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE

 
THE CITIZEN’S DUTY TO ASSIST LAW ENFORCEMENT

 
RESISTING ARREST

 
COMPOUNDING A CRIME

 
ESCAPE

 
CONTEMPT

 
CASE ANALYSIS

 
CHAPTER SUMMARY

 
CHAPTER REVIEW QUESTIONS

 
LEGAL TERMINOLOGY

 
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: ANSWERS

 
 
CHAPTER 14 Crimes Against the State (Available Online: edge.sagepub.com/lippmaness3e)
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: TRUE OR FALSE?

 
INTRODUCTION

 
TREASON

 
SEDITION

 
SABOTAGE

 
ESPIONAGE

 
TERRORISM

 
IMMIGRATION

 
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL LAW

 
CASE ANALYSIS

 
CHAPTER SUMMARY

 
CHAPTER REVIEW QUESTIONS

 
LEGAL TERMINOLOGY

 
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: ANSWERS

 
NOTES

 
 
ENDNOTES
 
GLOSSARY
 
CASE INDEX
 
SUBJECT INDEX

Supplements

Student Study Site

edge.sagepub.com/lippmaness3e

SAGE edge for students enhances learning, it’s easy to use, and offers:

  • an open-access site that makes it easy for students to maximize their study time, anywhere, anytime;         
  • eFlashcards that strengthen understanding of key terms and concepts;         
  • eQuizzes that allow students to practice and assess how much they’ve learned and where they need to focus their attention;
  • tables and figures from the book;
  • a list of statutes that are summarized and appear throughout the book; and
  • an appendix on reading and briefing cases.
Instructor Resource Site

edge.sagepub.com/lippmaness3e

SAGE edge for instructors supports your teaching by making it easy to integrate quality content and create a rich learning environment for students with:

  • a password-protected site for complete and protected access to all text-specific instructor resources;    
  • test banks that provide a diverse range of ready-to-use options that save you time. You can also easily edit any question and/or insert your own personalized questions;         
  • editable, chapter-specific PowerPoint® slides that offer complete flexibility for creating a multimedia presentation for your course;
  • lecture notes that summarize key concepts by chapter to help you prepare for lectures and class discussions;
  • tables and figures from the book;
  • suggested answers to the You Decide boxes in the text;
  • leading cases that summarize important cases in each chapter;
  • a list of statutes that are summarized and appear throughout the book; and
  • an appendix on reading and briefing cases.

"A thorough and perfect introduction to criminal law. An easy, interesting, and enjoyable read for students."

Dory Mizrachi
University of Nevada

“Lippman’s criminal law textbooks are well written in language that students are able to understand, interjecting proper terminology to encourage the abandonment of slang when discussing the topics. I would describe this textbook as comprehensively and concisely written—a textbook that students will actually read and understand.”

Janet Heuer
Bemidji State University

“A thorough and comprehensive text covering all of the essential points for an undergraduate criminal justice course. The text includes an inclusive glossary, examples drawn from recent events, and many You Decide breakout boxes both illustrating concepts and allowing students to critically assess and resolve complex matters."

Michael Shapiro
Georgia State University

Continued and updated excellent coverage of the topic.

Mr Ian Adams
Political Science Dept, University Of Utah
February 10, 2020
Key features

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.

For instructors

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