Latest 6 Reviews Here is what people are saying about the Cases and Materials on Criminal Law,(American Casebook Series) (American Casebook)
"Bad"
2009-05-25
- Reviewed By User: A3N4BR0V2Q8Q4W
I was assigned this book this past spring and found it to be terrible. As the last comment stated, I find the Understanding Criminal law written by Dresler to be much better for learning the material. The casebook even cites to the Understanding series at times. That seems kind of backward to me. This text has lots of excerpts of cases (even shorter than casebooks normally do it), and not very helpful explanation. but anyways, not the best text out there.
"Review"
2008-09-28
- Reviewed By User: AENMAI1HQZ54X
The book was in great shape. There is a lot of highlighting and notes in the margin, which is a little distracting. Other than that everything looks great!
"I got a B+ because I bought a great book of briefs..."
The casebook is only ok, so get a good book of briefs. Read the brief first, THEN read the case in the casebook. For briefs I used ISBN 0976871602, which had a well written brief for every case assigned in class, and it was REALLY helpful.
"Buy it for your kids for Christmas"
2008-02-08
- Reviewed By User: A1NVTAP238A54Y
A real page turner. A terrific romp for the entire family.
It could use a little more character development, but otherwise... I laughed... I cried... I studied... a lot.
It drives me nuts that there is a new edition for the 2007-2008 school year, but at least the cases are interesting and generally illustrative of the concepts being taught. Like most casebooks, don't expect to get everything that you need out of it.
Though I have to agree with many of the other reviewers that this particular casebook is more philosophically grounded, I firmly believe that that basis is what makes it a great casebook. Since criminal law varies with each jurisdiction, the concepts you can learn by using this criminal law casebook will form the basis for understanding and applying criminal law in practice.
I have to admit, however, that it did take me a while to wrap my head around the casebook but, if you're professor is engaging you in the discussion (I'm assuming you are a student) then gradually you will start to see how Dressler's discussion on certain philosophical topics as why the criminal law punishes fits into important criminal law concepts such as: statutory interpretation, the elements of a crime, defenses etc.
As other's have mentioned there is a supplement that Lexis put out in their understanding series that Dressler wrote. Also, if you get your hands on the Sum and Substance CD series Dressler is also the narrator.
In addition, if you do have to use this casebook pay attention to the notes and notecases since many of them deal with important criminal law tests and cases that may show up on your exam. They often times will be buried and you may gloss over them not realizing their importance.
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"Bad"
"Review"
"Buy it for your kids for Christmas"
"Interesting Book"