Constitutional Law and Criminal Justice
Purchasing Options
Features
- Explains the judicial system in a simple, straightforward manner
- Covers the entire spectrum of constitutional law issues
- Contains excerpts from important constitutional cases
- Includes a glossary of legal terms
- Provides a complete copy of the U.S. Constitution in Appendix A
Instructor’s manual, test bank, and PowerPoint® slides are available with qualifying course adoption
Summary
When evidence is excluded or a case is dismissed or overturned, it is puzzling that the redress of constitutional rights violations is spoken of so derisively. As a check on improper police and governmental behavior, the constitution is one of our strongest allies against corruption and malfeasance. Yet comprehension of this often vague document and the cases which seek to interpret it is frequently difficult. Written in a simple, straightforward manner, Constitutional Law and Criminal Justice examines the U.S. Constitution and its implication for criminal justice system policies and practices, clarifying principles in a concise yet comprehensive format. The book is carefully crafted to provide students with an easy-to-read explanation of the relationship between the two.
Plain Language Explanations of Constitutional Rights
Following an overview of the Bill of Rights, the book examines the components of the judiciary before focusing on due process; the first, fourth, fifth, sixth, and eighth amendments; and the exclusionary rule. Additional chapters address civil liability and the criminal justice professional as well as the impact of terrorism on the right of habeas corpus.
Using review questions and relevant cases in each chapter to illustrate legal applications, this volume illuminates the concepts in plain language, eliminates unnecessary legal jargon, and clarifies the nuances in the law, making complicated concepts approachable by those without advanced legal training.
Table of Contents
Introduction to the U.S. Constitution
Introduction
Original Constitution
Bill of Rights
Supreme Law of the Land
Overview of the Judiciary
Supreme Court Justices (2008–2009 Term)
Capstone Case: United States v. Lopez, 514 U.S. 549 (1995)
Questions in Review
The Concept of Due Process
Introduction
States and the Fourteenth Amendment
Police Power
Vagueness
Equal Protection of the Law
Capstone Case: Medina v. California, 505 U.S. 437 (1992)
Questions in Review
Fourth Amendment
History
Overview of the Amendment
What Constitutes a Search?
Probable Cause
Warrants
Arrests
Capstone Case: Atwater v. City of Lago Vista, 149 L. Ed. 2d 549 (2001)
Questions in Review
Fourth Amendment Issues
Introduction
Searches without Warrants
No Reasonable Expection of Privacy Situations
Arrests without Warrants
Terry Stops
Traffic Stops
Scope of the Search
Wiretaps
Capstone Case: Virginia v. Moore, 128 S. Ct. 1598 (2008)
Questions in Review
Exclusionary Rule
Introduction
Exceptions to the Rule
Noncriminal Trial Proceedings
Situations Where the Rule Has Not Been Applied
Exclusionary Rule and the Fifth Amendment
Exclusionary Rule and the Sixth Amendment
Capstone Case: Groh v. Ramirez, 540 U.S. 551 (2004)
Questions in Review
Fifth Amendment Issues
Introduction
Grand Jury
Double Jeopardy
Self-Incrimination
Miranda Warning
Involuntary Confessions
Commenting on Defendant’s Silence
Capstone Case: Missouri v. Seibert, 542 U.S. 600 (2004)
Questions in Review
Sixth Amendment Issues
Introduction
Speedy Trial
Public Trial
Impartial Jury
Trial in the Judicial District in Which the Crime Was Committed
To Be Informed of the Nature and Cause of the Accusation
Right to Confront the Witnesses
To Have a Compulsory Process for Obtaining Witnesses in His Favor
To Have Assistance of Counsel for His Defense
Guilty Pleas
Capstone Case: United States v. Gonzalez-Lopez, 548 U.S. 140 (2006)
Questions in Review
The Eighth Amendment
Introduction
Death Penalty as Cruel and Unusual
Noncapital Punishments
Jail and Prison Conditions as Cruel and Unusual
Court Sentences as Cruel and Unusual
Bail
Capstone Case: Overton v. Bazzetta, 539 U.S. 126 (2003)
Questions in Review
Endnote
The First Amendment
Introduction
Religious Issues
Freedom of the Press
Right to Assemble and Free Speech
Petitions to the Government
Right of Privacy
Obscenity
Students and the First Amendment
Prisoners and the First Amendment
Capstone Case: Morse v. Frederick, 127 S. Ct. 2618 (2007)
Questions in Review
Civil Liability and the Criminal Justice Professional
Introduction
Federal Civil Rights
Under Color of Law
Liability of Federal Agents under 42 USCS § 1983
Officer’s Duty to Arrest
Liability of a Public Agency for Failure to Train Its Police Officers
Immunity from Liability
Capstone Case: Wilson v. Layne, 526 U.S. 603, 628 (1999)
Questions in Review
Terrorism and the Writ of Habeas Corpus
Introduction
Boumediene v. Bush Case
Subsequent Proceedings
Questions in Review
Glossary
References
Appendix A: U.S. Constitution
Appendix B: Search Warrants
Appendix C: Grand Jury Indictment, August 2005—at Alexandria, Virginia
Index
Author Bio(s)
In 2009, a research study conducted by a group of professors from Sam Houston State University determined that Cliff Roberson was the leading criminal justice author in the United States based upon on his publications and their relevance to the profession.
—Southwest Journal of Criminal Justice, Vol.6, issue 1, 2009
Editorial Reviews
… an important contribution to its field as it covers many of the essential topics that are critical to an academic study of constitutional law. The text is well-organized and is easy to read, an important characteristic for assimilation of material that is often quite difficult to digest.
— Michael A. Cretacci, State University of New York at Buffalo, in the Journal of Criminal Justice Research, vol. 1, no. 1.
Downloads Updates
| Resource | OS Platform | Updated | Description | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU6103.zip | Cross Platform | February 18, 2009 |
