Using real-world scenarios developed from actual field experiences, and authentic documents such as warrants, American Criminal Procedure Today bridges the gap between theoretical presentations of criminal procedure and on-the-job experiences. Comprehensive, conversational, and co-written by the one of the foremost authors in the Criminal Justice discipline.
- "In the Field" is a special feature designed to make students aware that procedure is more than a set of abstract and theoretical concepts. Throughout each chapter, the book offers practical insights and advice regarding working on criminal cases. These features help introduce students to the realities of criminal practice and the role some of the theories, cases, and concepts play in day-to-day cases
- “The Law Where You Live” feature at the end of each chapter invites students to apply the materials to scenarios within contemporary settings and their own legal communities
- "Ethical Principles" within each chapter highlight a particular ethical rule or ethical consideration for legal assistants, paralegals, and other legal professionals. At the end of each chapter, an Ethics and Professionalism feature asks students to apply the ethical principles covered in that chapter to a factual scenario in which they may find themselves as a legal professional
- Excerpts of judicial opinions involving important issues of criminal procedure are placed within each chapter. These abbreviated cases provide briefing opportunities for those students who want to engage in this traditional practice used for legal research and writing projects. At the end of each excerpt, the authors provide questions for students to initiate discussion and ponder future application of the standards and concepts found within the court's ruling
- The text is flexible in its design, allowing for adoption and use in traditional Criminal Procedure or Criminal Justice Systems classes, or more general public-law-centered courses designed to prepare students for law school or other forms of legal training
