American Law and Legal Systems examines the philosophy of law within a political, social, and economic framework with great clarity and insight. Readers are introduced to operative legal concepts, everyday law practices, substantive procedures, and the intricacies of the American legal system. Eliminating confusing legalese, the authors skillfully explain the basics, from how a lawsuit is filed to the final appeal. This new edition provides essential updates to forensic and scientific evidence, contract law, family law, and includes new text boxes and tables to help students understand, remember, and apply central concepts.

The Fourth Edition of An Introduction to the American Legal System provides both historical context and thoroughly up-to-date coverage of all aspects of American law and the legal system. Vivid examples, on-point case summaries, and hot-button issues make this text an obvious choice for paralegal, criminal justice, political science, or legal studies courses. Key New Features Cases in Point that concisely illustrate how the law applies in the real world Questions for discussion in every chapter that point to high-interest issues for debate Discussions of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions such as the Obamacare decisions, the Defense of Marriage Act decision, and key rulings on recess appointments and First Amendment Rights Contemporary topical coverage, such as the national security legislation and whistleblowers Updated discussions of justifiable use of force, intellectual property, abortion rights, capital punishment, and affirmative action A well-crafted design that includes learning objectives and chapter outlines A convenient Glossary of Legal Terms and The Constitution of the United States of America in the Appendices

"This book provides an overview and introduction to the basics of the U.S. Legal System. The chapters cover the Constitution, the Judicial System, the sources of U.S. Law, case law, and civil dispute resolution"--

Heavily classroom-tested by the authors and other instructors, this powerful teaching tool puts an emphasis on vocabulary and solid learning aids to introduce the American legal system to foreign law students. Focusing on constitutional law, the authors provide in-depth coverage of major issues such as the health care mandate, Arizona immigration law, the Defense of Marriage Act, affirmative action, the Supreme Court citation on international authority and more. The American Legal System for Foreign Lawyers uses contract law to show the continued development of common law and considers the role and function of judges, characterizing the differences between common and civil law. Other important issues are highlighted such as the differences between judicial review of legislation under constitutional challenge, judicial interpretation of statutes, and judicial development and application of common law contract and property law principles. Interesting cases and solid case-reading coverage combine with tables, graphical material, and glossaries to help students grasp United States law. Features of The American Legal System for Foreign Lawyers: Heavily class-room tested by the authors and other instructors In-depth coverage of major issues Health Care Mandate Arizona immigration law Defense of Marriage Act Absorption of the Second Amendment Affirmative Action Supreme Court citation on international authority Uses contract law to show continued development of common law Considers the role and function of judges, characterizing the differences between common and civil law Highlights important differences judicial review of legislation under constitutional challenge judicial interpretation of statutes judicial development and application of common law contract and property law principles Teaching and learning aids tables charts and graphical materials chapter and whole book glossaries Interesting cases and coverage of case-reading

Virtually all American judges are former lawyers. This book argues that these lawyer-judges instinctively favor the legal profession in their decisions and that this bias has far-reaching and deleterious effects on American law. There are many reasons for this bias, some obvious and some subtle. Fundamentally, it occurs because - regardless of political affiliation, race, or gender - every American judge shares a single characteristic: a career as a lawyer. This shared background results in the lawyer-judge bias. The book begins with a theoretical explanation of why judges naturally favor the interests of the legal profession and follows with case law examples from diverse areas, including legal ethics, criminal procedure, constitutional law, torts, evidence, and the business of law. The book closes with a case study of the Enron fiasco, an argument that the lawyer-judge bias has contributed to the overweening complexity of American law, and suggests some possible solutions.

This book, suitable as a primer for foreign LLMs ? or as an introductory survey for American students of both procedural and substantive law ? is a comprehensive, though concise, survey of the American legal system ? its structure and its methodology.

This extraordinary paperback provides a highly accessible and appealing orientation to the American legal system and presents basic concepts of civil litigation to first-year law students. Whose Monet? An Introduction to the American Legal System focuses on a lengthy dispute over the ownership of a painting as a vehicle for introducing students to the basic law school tasks of reading analytically, understanding legal materials, and working with the common law. The author and his colleagues have used these materials successfully in their classrooms for many years, ensuring their teachability and effectiveness: Whose Monet? can be used as primary course material in orientation courses or seminars, as well as collateral reading for in-semester Legal Process or Civil Procedure courses The organization is logical and straightforward and the accessible writing style--lucid, descriptive, and conversational--is ideal for incoming students The major events in a lawsuit are considered, and the text sheds light on how the law is applied in a civil dispute, introducing common law and statutory law and the various courts and their interrelationship (trial/appellate, state/federal) The author draws on judicial opinions, litigation papers, transcripts, and selections from commentators and various jurisprudential sources, thereby exposing the first-year student to as broad a spectrum of materials as possible Telling the story of a real lawsuit (DeWeerth v. Baldinger)--from client intake through trial and various appeals--draws students into the legal process by means of an engaging narrative and makes for a truly enjoying teaching experience for professors The lawyer's role is examined in both its functional and moral dimensions: What do lawyers do? What does society legitimately expect lawyers to do? This book is suitable for both classroom and stand-alone assigned reading

This new book offers an approachable user's guide to both the spirit and the letter of the law underlying the U.S. legal system. It provides explanations and examples of most of the concepts covered in law schools explained in plain English, with minimum use of jargon. It also offers copies of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. It's perfect for anyone who wishes a concise and approachable guide to the U.S. Legal system.

This new coursebook introduces students to the relationship among the American constitutional, governmental, and legal systems. With a clear and concise presentation, this book explores historical and contemporary events, judicial opinions, and constitutional provisions that demonstrate how the three systems accommodate social progress in an ever-changing and highly diverse nation. Perfect for LLM courses or even undergraduate classes, this book aims to teach students how to understand constitutional doctrines, brief judicial opinions, and how American history affects contemporary legal issues. Features: Clear and concise presentation and logical organization of material making it an excellent introductory book to the American legal system Inclusion of modern cases on relevant topics, such as same-sex marriage, legalization of marijuana, and homicidal laws affecting juveniles Chapter questions that facilitate basic legal analysis through hypotheticals, opinion briefing, and application of constitutional provisions Inclusion of important historical and political events, such as lawsuits brought against Presidents, congressional impeachment powers, the Electoral College System, the Supreme Court s resolution of voting issues, the Civil War and post Civil War constitutional amendments, the Civil Rights movement, presidential and congressional war powers, and Supreme Court opinions about Guantanamo Bay detainees