Criminal Law: Cases, Controversies and Problems

by Joseph Kennedy

Students today expect learning to be both efficient and interesting. They use online materials and study aids to supplement class-assigned materials and to “hack” the law. This textbook cuts out the middle person by integrating challenging principal cases that are aggressively edited into an engaging overview of the black letter law. The explanatory sections describe the law through lively language and colorful examples that students can readily grasp and remember. Providing students with a clear doctrinal overview permits the selection of cases that drill down deeper into fundamental or cutting-edge issues.

Many of the principal cases put the old wine of the criminal law into new bottles that students will find meaningful and interesting. In addition to homicide, rape, assault, traditional property crimes and drug offenses, the cases selected include environmental and white collar crime, obstruction of justice, criminal copyright infringement, hate crimes, sex trafficking, online threats, revenge porn and computer crimes. Short discussion questions follow each case that stimulate understanding of the holding and the deeper issues at stake. Additional materials raise important critical perspectives dealing with issues of race, class and gender. Practice problems and links to online video clips allow students to apply what they are learning, and the appendix contains numerous materials for engaging lawyering exercises.

1006 pages, Hardcover

Published December 29, 2021

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Reviews

[Mackenzie Blackwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book makes insane jokes. Obsessed with that.

[Karolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite textbooks in law school so far. It has clear, engaging explanations of law before each case and makes learning the material easy and fun. Professor Kennedy is great!

[Izzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best textbooks I've ever had, it explained everything so clearly, like a Long and Happy Guide to Crim. In other news, I am about to commit first degree murder on this exam (premeditated and deliberate).

[Inna · Rating 4 out of 5]

did i enjoy the cases? god no. but did prof. kennedy write some clear explanations at the beginning of every chapter? YES. king!

[martina essert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Professor Kennedy. I love this jokes. The typos, however 👹👹👹

[Sophie Nye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for Criminal Law. Definitely think this is a good law school textbook. Plus, criminal law cases tend to be pretty interesting to read.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best references and examples, kept it light and even fun to read for the semester. Modern and accessible and sometimes I even forgot I was reading for class and not for funsies.