The Criminal Law Handbook - 19th Edition by Paul Bergman & Sara J Berman (Paperback)

About the Book

Unlike most criminal law books geared toward lawyers, The Criminal Law Handbook unravels the complex criminal justice system for all to understand. It demystifies the criminal justice system--step by step--from arrest to sentencing and appeals. It's for anyone interested in the criminal justice system, from those personally involved in it to those who simply want to understand it.

Book Synopsis

The criminal justice system is complicated. Understand it and your rights.

The Criminal Law Handbook demystifies the criminal justice system for non-lawyers. It explains--in plain English--how the criminal system works, why police, lawyers, and judges do what they do, and what you can expect if you end up involved in the system. Whatever your involvement or interest--suspect, defendant, inmate, victim, witness, loved one, or anyone else--you'll find helpful and critical information about the criminal system, plus examples that make sense.

This reference book covers the criminal process from stops on the street to arrest, booking, bail, plea bargains, trials, sentencing, and appeals. Learn about defendants' constitutional rights, Miranda rights, common defenses, defense strategies, and more. Find critical information on how to work with a criminal defense attorney or public defender. Understand what rights victims have and how to survive the system no matter what your role is.

With this book, you can make sense of courtroom legalese (voir dire, ex parte, arraignment, indictment), unravel and understand criminal rules of procedure and evidence, and learn through everyday examples of the system at work. The authors provide useful and important information in an easy-to-understand question-and-answer format. Whatever prompts your interest, the criminal justice system belongs to everyone and you have a right to know how it works.

Review Quotes

"An excellent and balanced guide to the state court criminal justice process..." Library Journal

"This easy-to-understand book contains everything you need to know about criminal law." Roger Cossack, Legal Analyst

"A well written, helpful guide for laypersons interested in their legal rights--straightforward, non-intimidating and informative." Laurie Levenson, Associate Dean, Loyola School of Law

Author Comments: The Criminal Law Handbook is written in an easy-to-understand question-and-answer format. It explains the criminal justice system inside and outside the courtroom. Whatever prompts your interest, the criminal justice system belongs to you. You have a right to know how it works. This book tells you what you never learned in high school civics: how the system really works.