Something is deeply rotten at the Supreme Court. How did we get here and what can we do about it? Crooked Media podcast host Leah Litman shines a light on the unabashed lawlessness embraced by conservative Supreme Court justices and shows us how to fight back. With the gravitas of Joan Biskupic and the irreverence of Elie Mystal, Leah Litman brings her signature wit to the question of what’s gone wrong at One First Street. In Lawless, she argues that the Supreme Court is no longer practicing law; it’s running on vibes. By “vibes,” Litman means legal-ish claims that repackage the politics of conservative grievance and dress them up in robes. Major decisions adopt the language and posture of the law, while in fact displaying a commitment to protecting a single minority: the religious conservatives and Republican officials whose views are no longer shared by a majority of the country. Dahlia Lithwick’s Lady Justice meets Rebecca Traister’s Good and Mad as Litman employs pop culture references and the latest decisions to deliver a funny, zeitgeisty, pulls-no-punches cri de coeur undergirded by impeccable scholarship. She gives us the tools we need to understand the law, the dynamics of courts, and the stakes of this current moment—even as she makes us chuckle and emerge empowered to fight for a better future. Read more

Something is deeply rotten at the Supreme Court. How did we get here and what can we do about it? Crooked Media podcast host Leah Litman shines a light on the unabashed lawlessness embraced by conservative Supreme Court justices and shows us how to fight back. With the gravitas of Joan Biskupic and the irreverence of Elie Mystal, Leah Litman brings her signature wit to the question of what’s gone wrong at One First Street. In Lawless, she argues that the Supreme Court is no longer practicing law; it’s running on vibes. By “vibes,” Litman means legal-ish claims that repackage the politics of conservative grievance and dress them up in robes. Major decisions adopt the language and posture of the law, while in fact displaying a commitment to protecting a single minority: the religious conservatives and Republican officials whose views are no longer shared by a majority of the country. Dahlia Lithwick’s Lady Justice meets Rebecca Traister’s Good and Mad as Litman employs pop culture references and the latest decisions to deliver a funny, zeitgeisty, pulls-no-punches cri de coeur undergirded by impeccable scholarship. She gives us the tools we need to understand the law, the dynamics of courts, and the stakes of this current moment—even as she makes us chuckle on every page and emerge empowered to fight for a better future. Read more

Presents the basics of writing legal briefs and giving oral arguments, with discussions on the essentials of building a case through legal reasoning and the key elements of persuasive and successful oral pleading in the courtroom. Read more

In the tight-knit community of Lorain, Ohio, a whirlwind of horror swept through as unsettling allegations surfaced - a trusted bus driver and her alleged companion accused of shattering the innocence of preschoolers in the respected Head Start program. The verdict? Life-long prison sentences that would cast a shadow over a community, and initiate an untiring quest for truth.'The Edge of Doubt' is a meticulously researched true crime narrative that delves into the reverberations of a sensational trial. This gripping tale is anchored in three decades of unwavering claims of innocence. As the pages turn, you'll find yourself torn between the scales of justice and the resilience of the human spirit.In a world that is quick to judge, 'The Edge of Doubt' compels you to lend an ear to the whispers of truth. This is your invitation to dive into a powerful account that will challenge your assumptions and unveil the complexities of human nature. Read it, and prepare to see the world with new eyes.Readers are RAVING about this compelling True Crime Legal Drama:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "The book is Gripping and intense ... meticulously researched ... The author does an excellent job of leading the reader through the evidence. Definitely check this book out as is a must read" —Goodreads Review⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Even if true crime is not your preferred genre, I recommend this book ... this story will open your eyes and occasionally make you feel like you, yourself, are falling off the edge of doubt" —Netgalley Review⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Mr. Miraldi keeps the plot moving while expressing frustration and human tragedy in great detail. In a world that reads only headlines it's great to read indepth reporting." —Netgalley Review⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Well researched and written. Emotional read." —Netgalley Review⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Meticulously researched and surprisingly neutral in presentation ... allow[s] the reader to determine their own views ... the author has chosen well in selecting this case to throw open." —Goodreads Review Read more

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"A heroic narrative."—One of The New Yorker’s Best Books of 2023"A detailed examination of . . . the landmark 1964 Supreme Court decision that defined libel laws and increased protections for journalists."—The New York Times Book ReviewA deeply researched legal drama that documents this landmark First Amendment ruling—one that is more critical and controversial than ever.   Actual Malice tells the full story of New York Times v. Sullivan, the dramatic case that grew out of segregationists' attempts to quash reporting on the civil rights movement. In its landmark 1964 decision, the Supreme Court held that a public official must prove "actual malice" or reckless disregard of the truth to win a libel lawsuit, providing critical protections for free speech and freedom of the press.   Drawing on previously unexplored sources, including the archives of the New York Times Company and civil rights leaders, Samantha Barbas tracks the saga behind one of the most important First Amendment rulings in history. She situates the case within the turbulent 1960s and the history of the press, alongside striking portraits of the lawyers, officials, judges, activists, editors, and journalists who brought and defended the case. As the Sullivan doctrine faces growing controversy, Actual Malice reminds us of the stakes of the case that shaped American reporting and public discourse as we know it. Read more

In the Eighth Edition of Federal Jurisdiction, luminary author Erwin Chemerinsky unpacks the black letter law and underlying policy issues of his subject with the clarity and penetrating insight for which he is renowned. An accessible and thorough exposition of the laws, issues, and policies that determine the jurisdiction of federal courts— students know they can rely on Federal Jurisdiction, Eighth Edition to inform and enrich their understanding of the cases and materials covered in this course. New to the Eighth Edition: Political question doctrine after Rucho v. Common Cause (partisan gerrymandering) Sovereign immunity after Franchise Tax Board v. Hyatt and Cooper v. Allen Developments in suing government officers, especially qualified immunity New limits on Bivens suits Professors and students will benefit from: Thorough updating of every aspect of the book Read more

An instant New York Times bestseller: An acclaimed legal scholar’s “important” (New York Times) and “fascinating” (Economist) exposé of how the Supreme Court uses unsigned and unexplained orders to change the law behind closed doors. The Supreme Court has always had the authority to issue emergency rulings in exceptional circumstances. But since 2017, the Court has dramatically expanded its use of the behind-the-scenes “shadow docket,” regularly making decisions that affect millions of Americans without public hearings and without explanation, through cryptic late-night rulings that leave lawyers—and citizens—scrambling.    The Court’s conservative majority has used the shadow docket to green-light restrictive voting laws and bans on abortion, and to curtail immigration and COVID vaccine mandates. But Americans of all political stripes should be worried about what the shadow docket portends for the rule of law, argues Supreme Court expert Stephen Vladeck. In this rigorous yet accessible book, he issues an urgent call to bring the Court back into the light. Updated with a new preface, The Shadow Docket is an essential read for understanding the inner workings of the Supreme Court—and American democracy.   Read more

How the immigration courts became part of the nation’s law enforcement agency—and how to reshape them. During the Trump administration, the immigration courts were decried as more politicized enforcement weapon than impartial tribunal. Yet few people are aware of a fundamental flaw in the system that has long pre-dated that administration: The immigration courts are not really “courts” but an office of the Department of Justice—the nation’s law enforcement agency.   Alison Peck's original and surprising account shows how paranoia sparked by World War II and the War on Terror drove the structure of the immigration courts. Focusing on previously unstudied decisions in the Roosevelt and Bush administrations, the narrative laid out in this book divulges both the human tragedy of our current immigration court system and the human crises that led to its creation. Moving the reader from understanding to action, Alison Peck offers a lens through which to evaluate contemporary bills and proposals to reform our immigration court system. Peck provides an accessible legal analysis of recent events to make the case for independent immigration courts, proposing that the courts be moved into an independent, Article I court system. As long as the immigration courts remain under the authority of the attorney general, the administration of immigration justice will remain a game of political football—with people’s very lives on the line.   Read more

How to prepare and present a winning civil court case Many disputes are too big for small claims court but too small to justify a lawyer’s fee. Fortunately, if you’re willing to learn the courtroom ropes, you can successfully handle your own case from start to finish. Represent Yourself in Court breaks the pretrial and trial process down into easy-to-understand steps. Armed with these clear and thorough instructions, you’ll be well prepared to: draft and file court papers get help from an attorney or legal coach obtain and prepare your evidence, including social media postings handle depositions line up, prepare, and examine witnesses present an opening statement make and respond to objections pick a jury if necessary, and deal with the court clerk and judge Whether you’re a plaintiff or a defendant, this book will help you handle a bankruptcy, divorce, landlord-tenant dispute, breach of contract case, small business dispute—or any other civil lawsuit. The new edition includes information and tips on participating in a court hearing via Zoom. Read more

In the tight-knit community of Lorain, Ohio, a whirlwind of horror swept through as unsettling allegations surfaced - a trusted bus driver and her alleged companion accused of shattering the innocence of preschoolers in the respected Head Start program. The verdict? Life-long prison sentences that would cast a shadow over a community, and initiate an untiring quest for truth.'The Edge of Doubt' is a meticulously researched true crime narrative that delves into the reverberations of a sensational trial. This gripping tale is anchored in three decades of unwavering claims of innocence. As the pages turn, you'll find yourself torn between the scales of justice and the resilience of the human spirit.In a world that is quick to judge, 'The Edge of Doubt' compels you to lend an ear to the whispers of truth. This is your invitation to dive into a powerful account that will challenge your assumptions and unveil the complexities of human nature. Read it, and prepare to see the world with new eyes.Readers are RAVING about this compelling True Crime Legal Drama:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "The book is Gripping and intense ... meticulously researched ... The author does an excellent job of leading the reader through the evidence. Definitely check this book out as is a must read" —Goodreads Review⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Even if true crime is not your preferred genre, I recommend this book ... this story will open your eyes and occasionally make you feel like you, yourself, are falling off the edge of doubt" —Netgalley Review⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Mr. Miraldi keeps the plot moving while expressing frustration and human tragedy in great detail. In a world that reads only headlines it's great to read indepth reporting." —Netgalley Review⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Well researched and written. Emotional read." —Netgalley Review⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Meticulously researched and surprisingly neutral in presentation ... allow[s] the reader to determine their own views ... the author has chosen well in selecting this case to throw open." —Goodreads Review Read more

“A damning investigation of dark money by a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee” (Kirkus Reviews) with a new preface on recent disclosures about efforts to influence the Court “There’s no senator I can think of who’s done more sleuthing to figure out the money trail in American politics, particularly as it affects the courts.”—Jane Mayer, author of the national bestseller Dark Money As the story of Supreme Court malfeasance and ethics violations repeatedly makes front-page news, the paperback version of The Scheme comes at a time of crisis for the American judiciary.Following his book Captured on corporate capture of regulatory and government agencies, and his years of experience as a prosecutor, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, whom Senator Elizabeth Warren calls a “a powerful voice in defending our American democracy against the relentless, pervasive—and often hidden—power of corporate special interests,” here turns his attention to the right-wing scheme to capture the United States Supreme Court. Whitehouse chronicles a hidden-money campaign using an armada of front groups, helped by the infamous Citizens United Supreme Court decision, employing the Federalist Society as an appointments turnstile, and with the same small handful of right-wing billionaires and corporations enticing the Senate to break rules, norms, and precedents to confirm wildly inappropriate nominees who would advance their anti-government agenda.Now available in an affordable paperback edition with a new preface addressing the Reverend Schenck disclosures about politicking the justices and Justice Thomas’s recently disclosed conflicts of interest, The Scheme offers what Kirkus Reviews calls “a maddening indictment of a corrupt and corrupted judiciary.” Read more

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Much has been written about Thurgood Marshall, but this is the first book to collect his own words. Here are briefs he filed as a lawyer, oral arguments for the landmark school desegregation cases, investigative reports on race riots and racism in the Army, speeches and articles outlining the history of civil rights and criticizing the actions of more conservative jurists, Supreme Court opinions now widely cited in Constitutional law, a long and complete oral autobiography, and much more. Marshall’s impact on American race relations was greater than that of anyone else this century, for it was he who ended legal segregation in the United States. His victories as a lawyer for the NAACP broke the color line in housing, transportation, voting, and schools by overturning the long-established “separate-but-equal” doctrine. But Marshall was attentive to all social inequalities: no Supreme Court justice has ever been more consistent in support of freedom of expression, affirmative action, women’s rights, abortion rights, and the right to consensual sex among adults; no justice has ever fought so hard against economic inequality, police brutality, and capital punishment. Read more

From the Rubery Prize-winning author David Miraldi:A Chilling Crime That Shocked Lorain, Ohio, and a Defiant Attorney Determined to Unearth the Truth.1960s Lorain, Ohio: Casper Bennett is accused of the unimaginable—drowning his wife in a scalding bath. Rumors swirl, and whispers pervade every corner of town. But there's one man, untested in the vicious waters of murder trials, willing to wade in and defend him: the author's father.David Miraldi unveils a riveting tale intertwined with personal history. In a time before DNA, when a man's fate hung precariously on human intuition, can true justice emerge from the fog of doubt?But this isn't just a courtroom drama. It's a son's journey into his father's legacy, a town's desperate quest for truth, and a chapter of American history where technology was new, but deception was age-old."The Edge of Innocence" isn't merely a true crime narrative—it's a masterful exploration of memory, responsibility, and the ever-elusive nature of truth. Amidst shifting memories and contested facts, will you discern the reality lurking in the shadows?Readers are RAVING about this compelling True Crime Legal Drama:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This is a gem of a book. I liked the narrative style of this true crime story, and enjoyed reading about the interesting backgrounds of the principal characters. I woke at 5:30 this morning to devour the last 120 pages, absorbed in the twists and turns of the trial and its aftermath.” –Goodreads Reviewer⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This courtroom drama bristles with all the intensity of a tennis match as the two sides in a murder trial fight to score points and win each game, set, and, ultimately, the match. David Miraldi's historical novel… pulls the reader in immediately with its realistic dialogue and fully drawn characters… David Miraldi draws on all his courtroom experience to make the fine points of criminal law add to the drama and drive the story along. The narrative tension never lets up, and the denouement holds many surprises for the reader.” –Goodreads Reviewer⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Wow…This book is incredibly well written with a smooth, even pace. The personalities of key people in the book are fully fleshed out and aspects of law are explained clearly in a conversational tone. And, yes. I was surprised at the end -- twice. I recommend this book wholeheartedly…”–Goodreads Reviewer⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “There is a force of intellect behind [this book], which is appealing… Miraldi, who is himself an attorney, tells it with an insider’s understanding of that world, and he seems to be a natural storyteller. It also gives an appealing view of America at a certain point in history: the sense of community; the significant contribution of immigration; the inevitable demise of that world when confronted with technology, a loss of innocence and cynicism. It’s a very impressive book.” –Goodreads Reviewer⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I was immediately drawn in by the author's style and command of the subject, making it easy to follow the twists and turns of the story. I really enjoyed the pacing and the clear, crisp, creative prose that Mr. Miraldi wrapped around the facts of this very interesting case, and found it hard to put down before getting to the end… An excellent book that I heartily recommend!” –Goodreads Reviewer Read more

A suitable text for your undergraduate criminal justice/criminology course on courts. Comprehensive and engaging, Criminal Courts: A Contemporary Perspective, supports your understanding by exploring all aspects of courts and related areas which are crucial to the criminal justice system. Written by three nationally recognized experts in the field, this text examines court structure, courtroom actors, trial and appeal process, and in addition, judicial decision making, specialized courts, and comparative court systems.  Read more

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