Criminal Law in Context

Criminal Law in Context: Sensational Cases and Controversies introduces students to key concepts in criminal law through well-known and highly publicized crimes, lawsuits, and proceedings. Through engaging and provocative examples that inspire greater levels of critical thinking, students learn about real-world criminal law in action.

Opening chapters cover the foundational elements of crime, various sources of criminal law, and an exploration of the criminal mind. Additional chapters examine criminal acts, parties to crime, nonfatal and fatal crimes against persons, and crimes against property. Students learn about justification defenses, excuse defenses, crimes against the public, hate crimes, and serial killers and crime intersectionality.

Cases and individuals highlighted throughout the text include JonBenét Ramsey, Joe Exotic, O.J. Simpson, the Central Park Five, George Floyd and Derek Chauvin, Gabriel Fernandez, Ahmaud Arbery, Bill Cosby, Jeffrey Epstein, Gypsy Rose Blanchard, Lorena Bobbitt, Heidi Fleiss, Shia LaBeouf, Matthew Shepard, Jeffrey Dahmer, John Wayne Gacy, Ted Bundy, Aileen Wuornos, Charles Manson, and more. Throughout the text, Pause and Reflect boxes encourage critical thinking and Think and Apply boxes challenge readers to connect key learnings with real-world examples and applications.

Concise yet highly informative, Criminal Law in Context is an illuminating and practical textbook for programs and courses in criminal justice and criminal law.