The Criminal Law Handbook: Know Your Rights, Survive the System

By Paul Bergman and Paul Bergman J.D.

Book Overview

The criminal justice system is complicated.

Understand it and your rights.

This book demystifies the complex rules and procedures of criminal law. It explains how the system works, why police, lawyers, and judges do what they do, and what suspects, defendants, and prisoners can expect. It also provides critical information on working with a lawyer.

In plain English, The Criminal Law Handbook covers:

search and seizure
arrest, booking, and bail
Miranda rights
arraignment
plea bargains
trials
sentencing
common defenses
working with defense attorneys
constitutional rights
juvenile court
legal terms and definitions
appeals
public defenders
victims' rights

The 17th edition is completely updated, covering the latest in criminal law, including U.S. Supreme Court cases.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 141332939X
• ISBN13: 9781413329391
• Release Date: January 2022
• Publisher: NOLO
• Length: 656 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 7.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Indispensible.

I'm currently busy writing my second mystery novel and can't say how much this book has helped me as a simple guide to getting things right when it comes to police procedure or the court system. It may be a lay persons guide but it either answers my questions or puts me on the right track in finding more in depth information when warranted. The digital edition is especially handy when I'm sitting at my computer because I can keep it open while I'm using my word processing program and refer to it with a simple keystroke.

Outstanding resource

This book provides an excellent overview of criminal law for the layperson. The authors provide a sound overview of complex topics without getting bogged down in the endless minutia inherent to criminal law.It is also refreshing that the authors do not waste the reader's time by interjecting ideological and social policy opinions into the book. Whether your interest in criminal law arises from intellectual curiousity or from finding yourself "in the system", I don't believe you will find a better introductory book than this.

Getting it right

An excellent source book for "getting it right" for lay persons who want to "cut to the quick" in the search for answers to legal problems concerning the criminal law system. No mumbo jumbo legalese here, just straight talk in plain English. Kudos to you and your effort.