Criminal Procedure

Smith's CRIMINAL PROCEDURE provides comprehensive coverage of constitutional law governing processes from police investigations through sentencing and punishment. It has a more broad focus than most texts in the criminal procedure market, including complete coverage of the trial process. An innovative pedagogical program includes boxed features and pedagogy that encourages critical thinking. There are more cases covered than in other upper level texts, providing the student more opportunity to think independently. Students learn through an inductive process, since cases appear before explanations.

Smith (criminal justice, Michigan State U.) has written some 75 scholarly articles in legal studies journals and law reviews, and is the author of 20 books. While typical criminal procedure textbooks are fine in describing the procedural steps of criminal investigations, prosecutions, trials, and the U.S. Supreme Court decisions which guide the authority of criminal justice officials, Smith believes there are additional topics which criminal justice students require. Toward that end, this text sets out to provide a comprehensive understanding of criminal procedure, its importance, and its effects on the lives of human beings. Annotation c. Book News, Inc.,Portland, OR

Christopher E. Smith is Professor of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University. Trained as a lawyer and social scientist, Professor Smith is the author of twenty books and more than 100 scholarly articles on law, the courts, and criminal justice policy. His books include three Wadsworth first editions, including CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS: MYTHS AND REALITIES, LAW AND CONTEMPORARY CORRECTIONS, and CRIMINAL PROCEDURE. He is also the co-author of CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN AMERICA (with George F. Cole).