Criminal Law: Problems, Statutes, and Cases - 3rd Edition - Kevin C. McMunigal

Criminal Law: Problems, Statutes, and Cases 3rd Edition Kevin C. McMunigal ISBN 9781531025588

Criminal Law: Problems, Statutes, and Cases integrates innovative teaching methods with doctrinal rigor to engage students in both the substance and skills of criminal law. The book combines a problem-based pedagogy, statutory interpretation, visual learning tools, and carefully selected cases—including recent opinions addressing bias intimidation, possession of child pornography, threatening speech on social media, and the theft of computer code.

A central feature of the book is its problem methodology. Each chapter makes extensive use of problems—many drawn from recent cases—to prompt active learning and sharpen students’ analytical skills. These problems are designed to mirror the ambiguity and complexity of real criminal law practice, encouraging students to reason through competing arguments and outcomes.

The book also adopts a statutory approach, with a primary emphasis on teaching students how to read, interpret, and apply criminal statutes. By focusing on statutory language rather than relying solely on common-law formulations, the text prepares students for modern criminal law practice and bar examination demands.

To support diverse learning styles, the book incorporates visual materials throughout, including diagrammed crimes, graphic exercises (such as timelines comparing different tests for the conduct element in attempt), and curated video clip recommendations from well-known films and television series, including The Wire and Breaking Bad. These materials help students visualize doctrinal structures and engage more deeply with abstract concepts.

The newest cases and problems are drawn directly from contemporary events and public debate—including the killing of George Floyd, the acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse, the pardon of Roger Stone, COVID-19–related threats, and ongoing debates about the future of policing. These materials are deliberately chosen to spark rigorous classroom discussion about the scope, limits, and purposes of criminal law—challenging students to consider not only what criminal law is, but what it should be.

Criminal Law: Problems, Statutes, and Cases 3rd Edition Kevin C. McMunigal ISBN 9781531025588, 978-1531025588 & 9781531025595

Authors:
Kevin C. McMunigal
Daniel S. Medwed