Judicial Process and Judicial Policymaking

by G. Alan Tarr

An excellent introduction to judicial politics as a method of analysis, the seventh edition of Judicial Process and Judicial Policymaking focuses on policy in the judicial process. Rather than limiting the text to coverage of the U.S. Supreme Court, G. Alan Tarr examines the judiciary as the third branch of government, and weaves four major premises throughout the text: 1) Courts in the United States have always played an important role in governing and their role has increased in recent decades; 2) Judicial policymaking is a distinctive activity; 3) Courts make policy in a variety of ways; and 4) Courts may be the objects of public policy, as well as creators.

New to the Seventh Edition

■ New cases through the end of the Supreme Court’s 2018 term.

■ New case studies on the Garland-Gorsuch controversy; plea negotiation (of special relevance to the Trump administration); and the litigation over Obamacare, as well as brief coverage of the Kavanaugh confirmation.

■ Expanded coverage of the crisis in the legal profession, sentencing with attention to the rise of mass incarceration and the issue of race, constitutional interpretation and the rise of “originalism,” and same-sex marriage.

■ Updated tables and figures throughout.

■ A new online e-Resource including edited cases, a glossary of terms, and resources for further learning.

This text is appropriate for all students of judicial process and policy.

Genres: Politics

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 8, 1994

Reviews

[Brandon Robert Patton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice book about law and stuff.

[Michaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ben Thanks

[Ben D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

While earning the Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice and Legal Studies, this text was issued to me for a course. This textbook by G. Alan Tarr is a very good read. It is an excellent explanation of the judicial process and exposition of legal history, philosophy and policy. The text is a superior choice as a middle ground between a layman’s introduction to legal thought, history and function, and a rigorous academic text for advanced reading in the same subject matters. The author does a great job explaining the role of legal actors, and legal culture in the judicial process. What judges and lawyers do, adjudicating differing courts, as well as explaining variations in law. The Federal and State, and local court systems are elaborated on, as well as their historical development from the American Civil War. The text is an excellent introduction to understanding the legal process, the courts, and court actors, as well as adjudicating among differing civil and criminal law codes and protocols.