Illuminating US constitutional concepts in plain language and clarifying nuances in the law, this third edition of Constitutional Law and Criminal Justice simplifies understanding of the United States judicial system for those without advanced legal training. It updates recent decisions by the Supreme Court of the United States and includes a discussion on the current makeup and policy of the Supreme Court.

Learning objectives and summary outlines of recent Supreme Court decisions, combined with practical examples and selected actual court documents, enhance students' understanding of the most important issues regarding the US Constitution and its application in the criminal justice system. The book begins with an overview of the Bill of Rights, followed by an examination of the components of the judiciary. It moves on to a discussion of due process; the First, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Amendments; and the exclusionary rule. A unique chapter addressing civil liability and the criminal justice professional is especially relevant to students in criminal justice programs.

Concise and informative, this book is designed to be used in undergraduate courses in criminal justice and justice administration programs in universities and community colleges.

Cliff Roberson, LLM, PhD, is a professor emeritus of criminal justice at Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas, and a retired professor of criminology at California State University, Fresno, California. He has authored and coauthored numerous books and texts on legal subjects.

He previously held academic positions such as associate vice president for academic affairs, Arkansas Tech University; dean of arts and sciences, University of Houston, Victoria; director of programs, National College of District Attorneys; professor of criminology and director of Justice Center, California State University, Fresno; and assistant professor of criminal justice, St. Edwards University.

Dr. Roberson's nonacademic experiences include US Marine Corps service as an infantry officer, trial and defense counsel and military judge as a marine judge advocate, and director of the Military Law Branch, Judge Advocate Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.

His other legal employment experiences include trial supervisor, Office of State Counsel for Offenders, Texas Board of Criminal Justice and judge pro-tem in the California courts.

Dr. Roberson is admitted to practice before the US Supreme Court, US Court of Military Appeals, US Tax Court, federal courts in California and Texas, Supreme Court of Texas, and Supreme Court of California. He is a longtime member of the US Supreme Court Historical Society.

His educational background includes a PhD in human behavior, US International University; LLM in criminal law, criminology, and psychiatry, George Washington University; JD, American University; BA in political science, University of Missouri; and one year of postgraduate study at the University of Virginia School of Law.