Unlock the structure, logic, and real-world application of criminal law—without law school. Whether you're a student, professional, or simply curious about how the justice system works, this clear and accessible guide brings clarity to one of the most complex legal fields.

____

Why Readers Choose This Book:

• Clear Language Without the Fluff: Legal accuracy written in plain English—no jargon, no unnecessary theory, no filler.
• Structured and Logical: Each chapter builds from the ground up. Perfect for beginners, yet deep enough for pre-law students, law enforcement trainees, or professionals wanting a structured refresher.
• Real-World Focus: This isn’t abstract legal philosophy. It’s a practical walk-through of how criminal law works in real courtrooms and real lives.
• Complete and Balanced Coverage: From foundational elements to evolving justice debates, every major issue in U.S. criminal law is explained clearly and thoroughly.

____

📘 What You’ll Learn Inside

The Building Blocks of a Crime

• What actus reus and mens rea really mean
• How intent, recklessness, and negligence affect liability
• The difference between causation and correlation in criminal law

__

Criminal Offenses, Explained Plainly

• Homicide, assault, theft, white-collar crimes, drug offenses, cybercrime, and more
• How states classify felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions
• The key elements prosecutors must prove to get a conviction

__

Defenses That Can Change the Outcome

• Self-defense, duress, insanity, necessity, mistake of fact, and entrapment
• When and how these defenses apply—and why some succeed where others fail

__

The Criminal Process, Step by Step

• From arrest and charging to trial, sentencing, and appeal
• The roles of the police, prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, and juries
• What happens at each stage and what rights protect the accused

__

Your Constitutional Rights in Criminal Law

• Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Amendment protections explained
• Search and seizure, Miranda rights, double jeopardy, and due process
• What’s really required for a fair trial—and where it often falls short

__

Modern and Special Topics

• Juvenile justice, victims' rights, hate crimes, corporate crime, domestic violence
• Sentencing reform, restorative justice, and the philosophy behind punishment

__

A Final Chapter for Context and Clarity

• A detailed historical timeline of criminal law across centuries
• A glossary of essential terms, doctrines, and Latin phrases

____

🧠 Who This Book Is For

• Pre-law, criminal justice, and paralegal students
• Police cadets, probation officers, and investigators
• Journalists, social workers, and policy advocates
• Anyone facing, observing, or interested in the justice system
• Curious minds who want clarity on what criminal law really means

____

You don’t need a law degree to understand the law. Criminal Law Step by Step gives you the map—and the confidence—to engage with one of the most powerful systems in society.

Get the structured legal education you’ve always wanted—without the classroom.