Fundamentals of Criminal Law and Procedure for Paralegals - 4th Edition - Thomas E. McClure

Fundamentals of Criminal Law and Procedure for Paralegals 4th Edition Thomas E. McClure ISBN 9798894103174

Fundamentals of Criminal Law and Procedure for Paralegals, Fourth Edition, by McClure and Eimermann, is a clear, well-structured, and accessible text created for today’s paralegal students. This comprehensive resource equips learners with the practical knowledge and skills needed for successful careers in criminal law.

Guiding students through every phase of a criminal case—from investigation and discovery to trial and sentencing—the book uses five integrated hypothetical cases to illustrate procedures, prompt discussion, and reinforce learning through hands-on skill-building exercises. Current, real-world examples help students engage with key topics, including the criminal justice system, the roles of police and attorneys, fundamental principles of criminal law, constitutional constraints, and trial practice.

New to the Fourth Edition

• Updated examples showing how the criminal justice system responds to high-profile cases

• New discussions and exercises focused on video evidence and the paralegal’s role in evaluating digital and visual evidence

• Expanded coverage of prosecutorial misconduct, presidential immunity, and laws addressing insurrection, rebellion, and sedition

• Analysis of cases involving law enforcement officers prosecuted for criminal conduct while on duty

• Enhanced examination of the paralegal’s role in jury selection, including issues related to implicit bias

Key Features and Benefits

• A logical three-part organization:

  • Criminal Law — the criminal justice system, principles of criminal law, and types of criminal offenses

  • Criminal Procedure — from commission of the offense through plea bargaining

  • Criminal Procedure — trials and post-trial proceedings

• Clear explanations of the roles of paralegals, attorneys, and law enforcement professionals

• Five hypothetical cases woven throughout the text to demonstrate procedure, raise discussion questions, and support research exercises

• Coverage of both white-collar and “street” crime from state and federal perspectives

• Excerpts from statutes, judicial opinions, investigative reports, and pleadings

• Strong pedagogy, including discussion questions, application exercises, marginal definitions, and end-of-chapter review questions

The textbook also includes assignments that mirror the tasks paralegals perform in prosecutor and defense offices, giving students practical experience and the confidence to apply their skills in real-world legal settings.

Fundamentals of Criminal Law and Procedure for Paralegals 4th Edition Thomas E. McClure ISBN 9798894103174, 979-8894103174 & 9798894103181

Authors
Thomas E. McClure
Thomas E. Eimermann