Speaking of Crime: The Language of Criminal Justice

by Lawrence M. Solan, Peter M. Tiersma

Why do so many people voluntarily consent to searches by have the police search their person or vehicle when they know that they are carrying contraband or evidence of illegal activity? Does everyone understand the Miranda warning? How well can people recognize a voice on tape? Can linguistic experts identify who wrote an anonymous threatening letter?

Speaking of Crime answers these questions and examines the complex role of language within our criminal justice system. Lawrence M. Solan and Peter M. Tiersma compile numerous cases, ranging from the Lindbergh kidnapping to the impeachment trial of Bill Clinton to the JonBenét Ramsey case, that provide real-life examples of how language functions in arrests, investigations, interrogations, confessions, and trials. In a clear and accessible style, Solan and Tiersma show how recent advances in the study of language can aid in understanding how legal problems arise and how they might be solved.

With compelling discussions current issues and controversies, this book is a provocative state-of-the-art survey that will be of enormous value to legal scholars and professionals throughout the criminal justice system.

Genres: Linguistics, Nonfiction, Law, Legal

264 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2005

Reviews

[Tububa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book covers a range of linguistic topics relevant to law, from pragmatics/discourse analysis to truth-conditional semantics. For a law student or practicing lawyer, it should be a nice introduction to linguistics. For a linguist, it is a good way to get out of the vacuum jar of theory and into a world where people's lives and freedom are at stake. Most people seem to learn about the law from TV crime shows and courtroom dramas, but reading just a few of the chapters of this book should make it clear that the real law is both more exciting and totally different from what happens in TV shows. I think this book is valuable enough that it should be basic required reading for all citizens, not just a niche side assignment for law students. Finally, Solan and Tiersma clearly have an axe to grind in a lot of the chapters, but they are quite convincing in the arguments they make.

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Difficult. This book was well constructed but required immense engagement; I personally appreciate this. I would say a small amount of linguistic competency is required. I think it could have been more developed in particular areas, but it is difficult to find a balance.