The completely revised and updated fourth edition of the most trusted paralegal desk references on the market. Now fully revised and expanded: the bestselling desk reference for paralegals at any level. Each chapter has been completely updated to include the latest step-by-step instructions for every aspect of a paralegal's job, with new procedures, checklists, and resources throughout. Topics covered include: ? Paralegal ethics ? Training programs ? Court systems and court procedures ? Federal court practice and procedures ? Pretrial practice and procedure ? Legal research tools ? Electronic trial preparation procedures In addition to the general resources that will be of value to every paralegal, this guide also includes detailed information on practice and procedures for working in specialty law firms.

This reference for legal assistants presents thousands of step-by-step procedures, facts, figures, definitions, model forms and diagrams, covering virtually every significant law and computerized research tool in major legal and paralegal areas.

Practice-based introduction to criminal law and procedure Using actual examples from practice, Criminal Law and Procedure for the Paralegal, Fourth Edition, teaches students about the real-world experience of the paralegal, with coverage of local, state, and federal criminal cases. Working with the various types of cases presented in this book familiarizes students with the role of the paralegal in the process of investigation, prosecution, and defense in criminal cases. Carter’s successful building-block approach explains the basic elements of all criminal offenses and how those elements are used to define crimes. New to the Fourth Edition: Rewritten and expanded examination of prosecutorial discretion, updated to reflect the June, 2022 Gascon decision by the California Appellate Court and expanded with a sidebar that discusses dispensing power. Reorganized discussion of the principles of legislative jurisdiction recognized by customary international law in Chapter 6 and in Chapter 7, as well as expanded and updated discussion about the exercise of extra-territorial legislative jurisdiction by the federal government and the states. Inclusion in Chapter 8 of the Supreme Court’s reiteration in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization of the test used to determine if a right is protected by substantive due process. The examination of the Second Amendment updated and expanded to include the Supreme Court’s most recent explication of that right in New York Rifle and Pistol Assn., Inc. v. Bruen and the limits that decision places on the ability of states and the federal government to enact statutes that make the carrying of firearms criminal. Expanded discussion in Chapter 10 to introduce students to the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) and the two principles that underlie most of its offenses. Updated examination of wire fraud, reflecting the Supreme Court’s latest decision relating to schemes to defraud. Updated discussion of the insanity defense in Chapter 12. Expanded examination of search and seizure Chapter 16 to include a discussion of emerging issues relating to encrypted and biometrically protected data, and an updated discussion of Terry stops to reflect the Supreme Court’s most recent teaching on the subject. Updated section about the right to trial by jury in Chapter 20. Rewritten and updated discussion of cruel and unusual punishment in the context of the death penalty, and a re-written and expanded discussion of the writ of habeas corpus. New case cites throughout with discussion of Kansas v. Glover, Bucklew v. Precythe, Kahler v. Kansas, Ramos v. Louisiana, New York Rifle and Pistol Assn., Inc. v. Bruen, Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta, Kelly v. United States, and Van Buren v. United States decisions. Professors and students will benefit from: A sensible, four-part organization: Introduction to the criminal justice system Distinction between criminal law and criminal procedure Criminal law Criminal procedure Clear explanations of the basic elements of all criminal offenses, including an accessible, systematic approach to analyzing the legal nature of any criminal offense Edited cases that illustrate key concepts Eye on Ethics and Historical Perspective sidebars Helpful pedagogy, including chapter objectives, definitions in the margins, and review questions An integrated treatment of white-collar crime Broad coverage of a wide range of criminal investigations, from police investigations to administrative and grand jury investigations

For both the law student and young lawyer, this guide provides an introduction to the basics of working in a law firm. It discusses how a lawyer can get around within the firm to succeed in law firm practice.

Now in its Fourth Edition, Introduction to Law for Paralegals balances substantive law with work-based knowledge and skills. From the basics of the U.S. legal system, to personal injury, contracts and intellectual property, Neal R. Bevans brings it all into focus through clear writing, realistic examples, and engaging exercises. With features like Skills You Need in the Real World and Issues at a Glance, the transition from classroom to law firm will be smooth sailing. New to the Fourth Edition: Coverage of agency Streamlined coverage of legal research and writing Updated cases Discussion of current technology and its use in legal practice End-of-chapter exercises and practice questions for test review help students master the material Professors and students will benefit from: Essential paralegal skills and legal procedure, presented in conjunction with substantive areas of law Part I introduces students to the legal system, with coverage of ethics, evidence, working in the law office, trials, and appeals Part II covers substantive law, including torts, contracts, criminal law, administrative law, real property, wills and trusts, family law, intellectual property, and agency law Part III gives an overview of legal research and writing A succinct and direct writing style Exercises that develop paralegal skills, integrated throughout the text A design for learning on every page, including definitions of legal terms and phrases, inset boxes that illuminate concepts, examples, visual aids, chapter summaries, sample documents, case excerpts, and more