Understanding Criminal Evidence is a carefully designed undergraduate text featuring a case-method approach and focused solely on criminal evidence. Learning the rules from case analysis allows students to apply the material to real world situations, fostering an understanding of the Rules of Evidence. Solid pedagogy makes the material more accessible than a traditional law school casebook text and features end-of-chapter review questions and key terms. Each chapter has a major introductory case that highlights the evidentiary issues. Several sub-cases in chap every chapter illustrate the ramifications of the rules. Trial transcripts and real world problems help students apply the rules to real situations they may face in practice. Features: Case-method approach to criminal evidence Case analysis methodology students apply the rules to the real world and to real life Features a traditional approach material designed specifically for undergraduates focused solely on criminal evidence Sound pedagogy end-of-chapter review questions key terms material more accessible than a traditional law school casebooks Cases in each chapter one major introductory case highlighting evidentiary issues several sub-cases illustrating ramifications of the rules Trial transcripts and real world problems help students apply the rules

"Criminal Evidence is a well-respected and trusted introduction to the rules of criminal evidence for criminal justice students and professionals. The first half of this book follows the Federal Rules of Evidence in its explanation of how evidence is collected, preserved, and presented in criminal court. The second half provides a selection of relevant criminal court cases that reinforce these basics and provide the context of how these rules are currently practiced. Readers will have an understanding of how concepts of evidence operate to convict the guilty and acquit the innocent. Part of the John C. Klotter Justice Administration Legal Series, this twelfth edition provides many updates, new references to recent cases, and a current version of the Federal Rules of Evidence. Student aids include chapter outlines, key terms and concepts lists, a glossary, a table of cases cited, and online interactive case studies. Teacher resources include Instructor's Guide, test bank, and PowerPoint slides"--

This comprehensive volume deciphers investigative process and practice, providing an authoritative insight into key debates and contemporary issues in crime investigations Provides critical examination of investigative practice by focusing on the key issues and debates underpinned by academic literature on crime investigation Outlines the theoretical explanations that provide an understanding of crime investigation and the context in which investigators operate Illustrates the practical relevance of theoretical contributions to crime investigation Places clear emphasis on the multi-disciplinary nature of crime investigation

A concise and comprehensive introduction to the law of evidence, Criminal Evidence takes an active learning approach to help readers apply evidence law to real-life cases. Bestselling author Matthew Lippman, a professor of criminal law and criminal procedure for over 25 years, creates an engaging and accessible experience for students from a public policy perspective through a multitude of contemporary examples and factual case scenarios that illustrate the application of the law of evidence. Highlighting the theme of a balancing of interests in the law of evidence, readers are asked to apply a more critical examination of the use of evidence in the judicial system. The structure of the criminal justice system and coverage of the criminal investigative process is also introduced to readers.

Fundamentals of criminal evidence -- The criminal trial process -- Pleadings, motions, sentencing and appeals -- Defense counsel role and strategies -- The Prosecutor's role -- Exclusionary rule of evidence -- Search warrants -- The crime scene -- Physical evidence -- Audio, video, photographic and computer evidence -- Confessions and admissions -- Lay and police witnesses -- Expert witnesses -- Hearsay evidence -- Testimonial privileges

Providing a complete view of U.S. legal principles, this book addresses distinct issues as well as the overlays and connections between them. It presents as a cohesive whole the interrelationships between constitutional principles, statutory criminal laws, procedural law, and common-law evidentiary doctrines. This fully revised and updated new edition also includes discussion questions and hypothetical scenarios to check learning. Constitutional principles are the foundation upon which substantive criminal law, criminal procedure law, and evidence laws rely. The concepts of due process, legality, specificity, notice, equality, and fairness are intrinsic to these three disciplines, and a firm understanding of their implications is necessary for a thorough comprehension of the topic. This book examines the tensions produced by balancing the ideals of individual liberty embodied in the Constitution against society’s need to enforce criminal laws as a means of achieving social control, order, and safety. Relying on his first-hand experience as a law enforcement official and criminal defense attorney, the author presents issues that highlight the difficulties in applying constitutional principles to specific criminal justice situations. Each chapter of the text contains a realistic problem in the form of a fact pattern that focuses on one or more classic criminal justice issues to which readers can relate. These problems are presented from the points of view of citizens caught up in a police investigation and of police officers attempting to enforce the law within the framework of constitutional protections. This book is ideal for courses in criminal law and procedure that seek to focus on the philosophical underpinnings of the system.