Description

Criminal Procedure Prosecuting Crime 8th Edition Dressler

ISBN 9781647087746

The Eighth Edition deepens its focus on the prosecution of crime by expanding its exploration of how prosecutorial decisions shape the criminal justice process from case screening through trial. In particular, the revised Case Screening chapter features new materials on the evolving role of the prosecutor, including a detailed discussion of recent trends in charging discretion—such as the growing movement among some prosecutors' offices to decline prosecution of low-level offenses. These developments reflect a broader reexamination of prosecutorial priorities and their impact on systemic justice.

Students are invited to examine the legal and policy implications of prosecutorial discretion through real-world examples and updated notes that engage current debates about selective enforcement and overcharging. The edition also incorporates problems and hypotheticals based on recent state and federal cases, giving students a practical framework for analyzing prosecutorial strategy.

Throughout the casebook, “in the trenches” content offers insights into how prosecutors work in practice—crafting charging decisions, managing plea negotiations, and preparing for trial—while highlighting the ethical and constitutional constraints that guide their actions. By focusing attention on the prosecutor's gatekeeping function and its consequences for defendants and communities, the book provides a compelling, grounded perspective on what it means to prosecute crime in modern America.