Criminal Law: A Critical Approach

Criminal Law: A Critical Approach is a casebook that meets the demand for more critique in the study of criminal law, particularly with respect to issues of race, gender, disability, sexuality, and class. It encourages students to think critically about the criminal law as a system, uses the criminal system pyramid to introduce them to the range of social controls, addresses sources and topics of criminalization that are often overlooked, provides an understanding of arguments for prison abolition, defunding the police, and alternatives to incarceration, and encourages students to think comparatively.

Format: Hardback
Length: 1458 pages
Publication date: 30 June 2023
Publisher: West Academic Publishing

The demand for critical analysis in the study of criminal law, particularly regarding issues of race, gender, disability, sexuality, and class, is on the rise among students and faculty alike. In response to this demand, a groundbreaking casebook has been authored solely by Black men, offering a comprehensive and student-friendly approach to the subject.

Criminal Law: A Critical Approach is a comprehensive textbook that provides clear articulations of core criminal law doctrines and concepts while encouraging students to engage in critical thinking about a wide range of issues relevant to our contemporary world. The book is particularly relevant in the context of mass incarceration, over-criminalization, and disparities along lines of race, gender, class, sexuality, and disability.

One of the key strengths of this casebook is its ability to encourage students to see the criminal law as a system rather than a set of isolated rules. The book employs the criminal system pyramid to introduce students to the various social controls inherent in the criminal system, helping them to understand the broader implications of criminal behavior. Additionally, the book addresses sources and topics of criminalization that are often overlooked by more traditional casebooks, such as non-violent and victimless crimes that constitute the bulk of real-world criminal prosecutions.

By providing students with an understanding of arguments for prison abolition, defunding the police, and alternatives to incarceration, the book encourages them to think critically about the criminal justice system and its impact on individuals and communities. The book also encourages students to think comparatively by discussing how legal systems have addressed crime at other times and in other countries.

With its mixture of doctrine, theory, and policy, Criminal Law: A Critical Approach is designed to provide a diverse range of resources to help professors challenge their students and prepare them for future leadership roles in the legal profession. The book is an invaluable tool for educators who want to foster a deeper understanding of criminal law and its implications for society.

In conclusion, Criminal Law: A Critical Approach is a groundbreaking casebook that offers a comprehensive and student-friendly approach to the study of criminal law. By encouraging critical thinking, addressing overlooked topics, and promoting comparative analysis, the book prepares students for future leadership roles in the legal profession and fosters a deeper understanding of criminal law and its implications for society.

Dimension: 254 x 191 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781636595863