Law 101: Everything You Need to Know About American Law, Fourth EditionIn each of the first three editions of the bestselling Law 101, Jay Feinman gave readers an upbeat and vivid examination of the American legal system. Since the third edition was published in 2010, much has happened: several key Supreme Court cases have been decided, we've seen sensational criminal trials, and the legal system has had to account for the latest developments in Internet law. This fully updated fourth edition of Law 101 accounts for all this and more, as Feinman once again provides a clear introduction to American law. The book covers all the main subjects taught in the first year of law school, and discusses every facet of the American legal tradition, including constitutional law, the litigation process, and criminal, property, and contracts law. To accomplish this, Feinman brings in the most noteworthy, infamous, and often outrageous examples and cases. We learn about the case involving scalding coffee that cost McDonald's half a million dollars, the murder trial in Victorian London that gave us the legal definition of insanity, and the epochal decision of Marbury vs. Madison that gave the Supreme Court the power to declare state and federal law unconstitutional. A key to learning about the law is learning legal vocabulary, and Feinman helps by clarifying terms like "due process" and "equal protection," as well as by drawing distinctions between terms like "murder" and "manslaughter." Above all, though, is that Feinman reveals to readers of all kinds that despite its complexities and quirks, the law is can be understood by everyone. Perfect for students contemplating law school, journalists covering legislature, or even casual fans of "court-television" shows, Law 101 is a clear and accessible introduction to the American legal system. New to this edition: Featured analysis of: -the Obamacare case -Citizens United -the DOMA decision -the Trayvon Martin case As well as recent legal developments pertaining to: -online contracting -mortgages -police investigations -criminal sentencing |
Contents
What powers do the states have under constitutional law? | |
The Litigation Process | |
When Is a Deal a Deal? Businesses Consumers and Contract | |
The Law of Property | |
Criminal Responsibility | |
Criminal Procedure | |
Conclusion | |
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Law 101: Everything You Need to Know About American Law, Fourth Edition Jay Feinman Limited preview - 2014 |
Common terms and phrases
accident action Amendment applied attorney Audi behavior civil claim clause commerce commerce clause committed conduct Congress constitutional law constitutionally contract law convicted crime criminal law criminal process damages death penalty decide decision defect defendant defendant’s define determine deterrence Dred Scott driver Dudley and Stephens due process enforce equal protection establishment clause evidence example exercise federal courts government’s guilty harm important imposed injuries intent interest interpretation involved issue Jacob & Youngs judge jurisdiction jurors jury jury’s Justice killing lawyers legislation legislatures liability liberty limited litigation manufacturer mental Model Penal Code murder negligence offense owner ownership parties pedestrian person plaintiff plea bargaining police political prevent principle prohibited promise property law prosecution prosecutor punishment question reasonable regulate Robinsons rules sentence someone speech statute strict liability tenant tort law tort reform trial U.S. Supreme Court victim violate wrong