Criminal Law Today

Criminal Law Today, 7th Edition, by Frank Schmalleger, is an academic textbook that examines general legal principles and the fundamental nature of legal systems. The volume outlines the historical development of legal codes while illustrating how criminal law functions in American society as a practical policymaking tool to address ongoing social change.

The text organizes core legal subjects into distinct thematic arcs, beginning with the foundations of criminal liability and expanding into specialized areas of statutory enforcement. Key topics covered across the curriculum include inchoate offenses, defenses centered on justification or excuse, personal and property offenses, computer crimes, public order violations, and sentencing frameworks.

To support classroom engagement, this updated release pairs refined learning objectives with contemporary legal cases, recent news stories, and relevant graphics. The book delivers structured practice for college and university criminal law courses, helping students analyze how legal doctrines function within contemporary jurisprudence.