INTRODUCTION TO LAW AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM provides an overview of law and the American legal system, using cases to support the major functions of U.S. law. Suitable for a variety of departments and courses, this text is known for its broad coverage, flexible organization, and use of cases to explain legal concepts. Important Notice: Media content referenced within the product description or the product text may not be available in the ebook version.
Written from a legal and institutional perspective, this text provides students with an overview of the American legal system. Broad coverage, flexible organization, and inclusion of up-to-date, teachable cases make Introduction to Law suitable for a variety of departments (business, political science, government and criminal justice departments, and paralegal and pre-law) and courses (Survey of Law, Introduction to Law and the Legal System, Law and Society, Legal Studies for Paralegals, and Legal Process).Expanded ethics coverage includes a chapter (devoted entirely to the topic) with icons highlighting interesting ethical dilemmas and an appendix discussing the ethical dimensions of case studies.
Introduction to the English Legal System is the ideal foundation for those coming new to the study of law. Writing in a highly engaging and accessible style, Martin Partington introduces the purposes and functions of English law, the law-making process, and the machinery of justice, while also challenging assumptions and exploring current debates. Consolidating over 40 years' experience in the law, Martin Partington examines beliefs about the English legal system, and encourages students to question how far it meets the growing demands placed on it. Incorporating all the latest developments, this concise introduction brings law and the legal system to life. Digital formats and resources: This edition is available for students and institutions to purchase in a variety of formats, and is supported by online resources. - The e-book offers a mobile experience and convenient access along with functionality tools, navigation features, and links that offer extra learning support: www.oxfordtextbooks.co.uk/ebooks - The online resources include questions for reflection and discussion; self-test questions; a glossary; further reading materials; web links; and a link to Martin Partington's blog, which covers key developments in the English justice system.
Designed to teach the basics needed to prepare students for any role in the legal system, Law and the Legal System engages students through the use of examples and practical applications of legal principles. Whether they are interested in pursuing legal careers as lawyers or paralegals, or political science careers, or criminal justice interests, students are provided a basic understanding of the law and how to find it. Mock trial experiences are encouraged, and each chapter involves the student in exercises that review understanding of legal terms and concepts. Six cases in an appendix illustrate basic concepts, and hypothetical cases showcase the inner workings of the judicial system in both criminal and civil cases. Internet sources, key terms, case excerpts, research assignments, review exercises and discussion questions help students reinforce the key concepts in each chapter, and suggested activities engage students in discovery projects. Thoroughly updated, the revised Third Edition expands coverage with new chapters on Legal Research and Writing, Tort Law, Contract Law, Family Law, Employment Law, and Equal Protection Law. Careful updating of information throughout the book includes refreshed Internet references to the text. Hallmark features of An Introduction to Law and Legal Studies in the United States: Solid overview of the system of law and government Readability, accessibility Provides the basics for any role in the legal system lawyer or paralegal career political science or criminal justice work Practical applications to engage students with legal principles mock trial experiences encouraged chapter exercises review legal terms and concepts activities engage students in discovery projects Five part structure, comprehensive coverage Basic Legal Concepts Substantive Civil Law Civil Law Procedure Criminal Law Procedure Administrative Due Process Six cases illustrate major basic concepts Explains difficult legal concepts in a reader-friendly format Hypothetical cases reveal workings of judicial system in both criminal and civil cases Differentiates civil, criminal, and administrative due process Discusses history as well as contemporary state of law and current controversies Pedagogically rich Internet sources key terms case excerpts research assignments review exercises discussion questions Thoroughly updated, the revised Third Edition presents: New chapters Legal Research and Writing Tort Law Contract Law Family Law Employment Law Equal Protection Law Updated Internet references New material, brought completely up-to-date
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
Since the publication of its first edition, this textbook has become the definitive student introduction to the subject. As with earlier editions, the seventh edition gives a clear understanding of fundamental legal concepts and their importance within society. In addition, this book addresses the ways in which rules and the structures of law respond to and impact upon changes in economic and political life. The title has been extensively updated and explores recent high profile developments such as the Civil Partnership Act 2005 and the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill. This introductory text covers a wide range of topics in a clear, sensible fashion giving full context to each. For this reason An Introduction to Law is ideal for all students of law, be they undergraduate law students, those studying law as part of a mixed degree, or students on social sciences courses which offer law options.
This introductory text is intended to demystify the law and to provide information on the key components of the Canadian legal system including chapters on: The nature of law and competing theories of law Legal pluralism - how the Canadian legal system interacts with various religious legal systems Sources of Canadian law including legislation and caselaw The legal history of Britain, the reception of English law in Canada, the history of Civil Law in Quebec, and the bijural system The Constitution and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms The structure of Canadian government Courts across Canada and the work of judges and lawyers Problems regarding access to justice Substantive law including Criminal Law, Property Law, Contract Law, and Tort Law Procedural laws governing civil disputes and criminal prosecutions.
This book is exceptional in the sense that it provides an introduction to law in general rather than the law of one specific jurisdiction, and it presents a unique way of looking at legal education. It is crucial for lawyers to be aware of the different ways in which societal problems can be solved and to be able to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different legal solutions. In this respect, being a lawyer involves being able to reason like a lawyer, even more than having detailed knowledge of particular sets of rules. Introduction to Law reflects this view by focusing on the functions of rules and on ways of arguing the relative qualities of alternative legal solutions. Where ‘positive’ law is discussed, the emphasis is on the legal questions that must be addressed by a field of law and on the different solutions which have been adopted by, for instance, the common law and civil law tradition. The law of specific jurisdictions is discussed to illustrate possible answers to questions such as when the existence of a valid contract is assumed.
This book is designed to introduce incoming law students to the U.S. legal system in order to prepare them to get the most out of law school from the day it begins. Authors Johns and Perschbacher do not assume a great deal of prior knowledge and begin by explaining what legal education is all about. There is then a chapter on the legal profession -- who are all those lawyers, how are they regulated, and what are they doing? The book then covers the structure of our legal system, looking at the complex relationship between the states and the federal government as well as at the institutions of both. Finally, two important sources of law are considered: legislatures and courts. The book examines some of the ways that legislation is interpreted and some of the ways that the law evolves through the judicial process. The authors revised and updated all the chapters, but the biggest change is the complete replacement of chapter 6. Chapter 6 is basically one, long, complicated case. In the new edition, the authors are using Lockyer v. San Francisco as it raises very interesting questions about the rule of law and separation of powers. This book not only can serve as a crucial introduction for all law students but would also work well in an undergraduate course geared to pre-law students or a more general course about our contemporary legal system.
