Product Description

Written by a recognizable and well respected authority in the criminal law field, this Black Letter follows in the tradition of Professor Dressler’s casebook and treatise, in terms of coverage, organization, and easy-to-read style. Black Letter Outline on Criminal Law mirrors the coverage of the most commonly used casebooks, and even more clearly mirrors the coverage of most professors in their classrooms. Most of the Black letter focuses on the so-called "general part of the criminal law" : the basic elements of a crime, defenses to crimes, inchoate liability, and complicity—what most professors want their students to learn. The Black Letter also thoroughly explains Criminal Homicide offenses, Rape (Sexual Assault), and the Theft crimes. Clearly and separately covering both common law and Model Penal Code principles, this Black Letter also offers user-friendly features—such as the “Conversation with students” section at the beginning of each part.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6324 in Books
• Published on: 2005-04-01
• Released on: 2005-04-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 446 pages

About the Author
McGeorge School of Law

Customer Reviews

Black letter no filler
This book was invaluable for my crim law test. Dressler's casebook is poorly organized; his understanding criminal law is good for learning justifications and reasons for the black letter but is not organized to be a test-reference book.

This book is particularly well focused and well organized. It is perfectly designed for use on the test because you can find the black letter answer you are looking for very quickly. It also has an invaluable section on how best to organize a crim law essay answer, seperately identifying each of the necessary elements for each of the actors and making it so clear that the professor cannot miss any of the points you touch on.

Note that you will need other resources for utilitarian / retributivist justifications, etc.

If not for this book I would not have gotten an A in criminal law. That's about as good of an endorsement as I can give it.

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Great Overview
These tapes provide a great overview for exam study. I also used to the tapes to determine how I would structure my essay answers. Worth the price. Note that the content of the tapes is similar to Dressler's "Understanding Criminal Law." The tapes provide an advantage, howevever, because Dressler often gives exam strategies on the tapes.

Great Overview
The lecture is value packed, a terrific course overview. Methodical and thoughtfully designed. It was a great supplement to my studies. Interestingly, the author, wrote the textbook assigned to my class. I also would highly recommend Dressler's "Casenote" Criminal law outline as source for tons of practical hypo's.