Foundations of Law: Cases, Commentary And Ethics

by Pyle, Ransford Comstock

• ISBN13: 9781418013844
• ISBN10: 1418013846
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-07-07
• Publisher: Cengage Learning

Summary

In the fourth edition of Foundations of Law, concentration on the overview of American law and its legal system permeates the book to assist readers in preparation for advanced study. Over forty excerpted judicial opinions are used to illustrate basic themes, and instructive case studies are presented to challenge users beyond acquiring knowledge, so that thorough understanding of concepts and their application in difficult scenarios can be achieved. Each chapter is designed for one week of study, and is written with clarity and conciseness to facilitate comprehension of the material. The addition of chapter review questions and websites promote learning and retention.

Table of Contents

Preface	xv
Table of Cases	xix
Law and the Profession of Law	1	(35)
Introduction	1	(1)
The Law and the Lawyer	2	(2)
Becoming a Lawyer	4	(4)
Law School	4	(1)
Obtaining a License to Practice Law	5	(1)
Bar Examination	6	(1)
Attorney Employment	7	(1)
What Lawyers Do	8	(10)
The Lawyer as Provider of Legal Services	9	(3)
The Lawyer as Advisor	12	(2)
The Lawyer as Counselor	14	(1)
The Lawyer as Negotiator	14	(4)
Paralegals/Legal Assistants	18	(15)
Origins	18	(1)
Paralegal Training	19	(2)
Curriculum	21	(1)
What Paralegals May Not Do	22	(2)
Legal Technicians	24	(4)
What Paralegals Do	28	(5)
Summary	33	(1)
Key Terms	33	(1)
Chapter Review Questions	34	(1)
Critical Thinking Questions	34	(1)
Cyber Exercises	35	(1)
Scenario	35	(1)
Ethics	36	(33)
Introduction	36	(1)
History of Ethical Rules	37	(1)
The Model Code and the Model Rules	37	(1)
Codes for Legal Assistants	38	(5)
Disclosure	43	(3)
Defining the Practice of Law	46	(1)
Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL)	46	(5)
Legal Representation before a Court	47	(3)
Preparation of Legal Documents	50	(1)
Giving Legal Advice	50	(1)
Confidentiality	51	(6)
Exceptions to Confidentiality	54	(3)
Conflicts of Interest	57	(3)
Solicitation	60	(1)
Fees	61	(1)
Reporting Misconduct	61	(1)
Trust Accounts	62	(2)
Malpractice	64	(1)
Misconduct Outside the Practice of Law	64	(1)
Summary	65	(1)
Key Terms	66	(1)
Chapter Review Questions	66	(1)
Critical Thinking Review Questions	66	(1)
Cyber Exercises	67	(1)
Scenario	67	(2)
Sources of the Law: Cases	69	(22)
Law and the Courts	69	(10)
Judicial Restraint	69	(1)
The Common Law	70	(1)
Judges Make Law	71	(1)
Stare Decisis	72	(4)
Distinguishing Cases	76	(3)
Adjudication versus Legislation	79	(8)
Adjudication: Narrow Focus on Past Events	79	(1)
Legislation: Universal Application and Future Effect	79	(3)
Obiter Dictum	82	(3)
Nonbinding Authority	85	(2)
Summary	87	(1)
Key Terms	87	(1)
Chapter Review Questions	88	(1)
Critical Thinking Review Questions	88	(1)
Cyber Exercises	88	(1)
Scenario	89	(2)
Sources of the Law: Legislation	91	(24)
Introduction	91	(1)
Evolution of Legislation	91	(1)
The Nature of Legislation	92	(2)
The Legislative Process	94	(2)
Judicial Invalidation of Legislation	96	(1)
Judicial Deference to Legislation	96	(3)
Statutory Interpretation	99	(7)
Legislative Intent	99	(1)
The Plain Meaning Rule	99	(1)
Limitations on the Plain Meaning Rule	100	(1)
Aids to Statutory Interpretation	101	(1)
Strict Construction	101	(1)
Legislative History	102	(1)
A Caveat on Statutory Interpretation	103	(3)
Statute and Precedent	106	(1)
Summary	106	(1)
Key Terms	107	(1)
Chapter Review Questions	107	(1)
Critical Thinking Review Questions	107	(1)
Cyber Exercises	107	(1)
Review Problem	108	(7)
Trial and Appellate Courts	115	(76)
The Adversary Process	115	(1)
Fact and Law	116	(4)
Trials and Trial Courts	120	(2)
Jury Instructions	121	(1)
Appellate Courts	122	(3)
Prejudicial Error	123	(2)
Impact of the Appellate System	125	(3)
Miscellaneous Judicial Duties	128	(63)
The Law of Criminal Procedure	191	(30)
The Constitutional Basis of Criminal Procedure	191	(8)
Excerpts from the Constitution of the United States	191	(1)
Annotations	192	(7)
The Exclusionary Rule	199	(4)
Plea Bargaining	203	(1)
The Steps in Processing a Crime	204	(13)
Detection of Crime	205	(1)
Arrest and Complaint	206	(2)
Initial Appearance	208	(1)
Preliminary Hearing	208	(1)
Indictment and Information	208	(1)
Arraignment	209	(1)
Pretrial	210	(3)
Trial	213	(1)
Sentencing	213	(2)
Appeal	215	(2)
Habeas Corpus	217	(1)
Summary	217	(1)
Key Terms	218	(1)
Chapter Review Questions	218	(1)
Critical Thinking Review Questions	219	(1)
Cyber Exercises	219	(1)
Scenario	219	(2)
Criminal Law	221	(25)
Introduction	221	(1)
Criminal Law in Practice	221	(1)
Definition	221	(1)
Crime and Morality	222	(1)
Mala in Se and Mala Prohibita	222	(1)
Note on the Model Penal Code	223	(1)
Fault	223	(1)
Criminal Act and Criminal Intent	224	(18)
Criminal Act	224	(1)
Criminal Intent	225	(17)
The Insanity Defense	242	(1)
Summary	242	(1)
Key Terms	243	(1)
Chapter Review Questions	243	(1)
Critical Thinking Review Questions	244	(1)
Cyber Exercises	244	(1)
Scenario	244	(2)
Torts, Personal Injury, and Compensation	246	(33)
Introduction	246	(1)
Definition	246	(6)
Tort versus Crime	246	(1)
Tort versus Contract	247	(2)
Elements of Tort	249	(1)
Tort Law: An Evolving Field	249	(3)
Extraneous Factors Influencing Tort Law	252	(5)
The Doctrine of Respondeat Superior (Vicarious Liability)	253	(2)
Insurance	255	(1)
Contingency Fees	256	(1)
Fault	257	(3)
Fault and Three Areas of Tort Law	260	(8)
Intentional Torts	260	(4)
Negligence	264	(2)
Strict Liability/Product Liability	266	(2)
Damages	268	(6)
Punitive (or Exemplary) Damages for Intentional Tort	272	(2)
Summary	274	(2)
Key Terms	276	(1)
Chapter Review Questions	276	(1)
Critical Thinking Review Questions	276	(1)
Cyber Exercises	277	(1)
Scenario	277	(2)
Contracts and Commercial Law	279	(29)
Introduction	279	(1)
Contract Law in Practice	280	(1)
Definition	280	(2)
Contract Formation: The Classical Model	282	(6)
Offer	282	(1)
Acceptance	283	(3)
Consideration	286	(2)
Limitations on Contract Formation	288	(4)
Contract Induced by Misconduct of One of the Parties	289	(1)
Mistake	290	(1)
Lack of Capacity to Form a Contract	290	(2)
Illegality	292	(1)
Statute of Frauds	292	(1)
Compensatory Damages for Breach of Contract	292	(1)
Problems with the Classical Model	293	(2)
Fault	294	(1)
Deceptive Practices	295	(1)
Equitable Remedies	295	(3)
Rescission and Reformation	295	(2)
Specific Performance	297	(1)
Injunctive Relief	297	(1)
Liberal Construction of Consideration	298	(1)
Moral Obligation and Reliance Theory	298	(4)
Moral Obligation: Quasi-Contract	298	(1)
Reliance: Promissory Estoppel	299	(3)
Failure of the Classical Model	302	(1)
The Field of Commercial Law	302	(2)
The Uniform Commercial Code	302	(1)
Commercial Paper	303	(1)
Secured Transactions	303	(1)
Business Organizations	304	(1)
Summary	304	(1)
Key Terms	305	(1)
Chapter Review Questions	305	(1)
Critical Thinking Review Questions	306	(1)
Cyber Exercises	306	(1)
Scenario	306	(2)
The Law of Property	308	(24)
Introduction	308	(1)
Property Is an Abstraction	309	(1)
Real Property's ``Bundle of Rights'' Model	310	(1)
The Deed	311	(3)
Estates in Land	314	(7)
Fee Simple Absolute	315	(1)
Life Estate	315	(2)
Nonfreehold Estates	317	(1)
Co-Ownership	318	(2)
Implications	320	(1)
Liability of Landowners	321	(1)
Title	321	(4)
Personal Property	322	(3)
Estate Planning	325	(1)
Wills	325	(1)
Trusts	326	(1)
Government Regulation of Real Property	326	(2)
Eminent Domain	326	(1)
Planning and Zoning	327	(1)
Summary	328	(1)
Key Terms	329	(1)
Chapter Review Questions	329	(1)
Critical Thinking Review Questions	330	(1)
Cyber Exercises	330	(1)
Scenario	330	(2)
Family Law	332	(25)
Introduction	332	(1)
Historical Roots of Family Law	333	(1)
Law and Marriage	334	(3)
Marriage as Contract	335	(1)
Marriage as a Partnership	335	(1)
Children	336	(1)
Family Law and the Adversarial Process	336	(1)
Annulment	337	(1)
Void or Voidable?	337	(1)
Consequences of Annulment	338	(1)
Antenuptial (Premarital) Agreements	338	(1)
Postmarital Contracts	339	(1)
Divorce: Property Settlements	340	(2)
Alimony	342	(3)
Child Support	345	(2)
Parental Duty to Support	345	(1)
Need and Ability to Pay	346	(1)
Setting and Enforcing Child Support	346	(1)
Child Support Guidelines	347	(1)
Interstate Enforcement---URESA	347	(1)
Child Custody	347	(3)
Historical Overview	348	(1)
Best Interests of the Child	348	(1)
Modification	349	(1)
The Natural Father	350	(1)
Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act	350	(1)
Adoption	350	(3)
The Parties	351	(1)
Surrogacy	352	(1)
Federal Involvement in Family Law	353	(1)
Summary	353	(1)
Key Terms	354	(1)
Chapter Review Questions	354	(1)
Critical Thinking Review Questions	354	(1)
Cyber Exercises	355	(1)
Scenario	355	(2)
Administrative Law and Procedure	357	(21)
Introduction	357	(1)
The Field of Administrative Law	357	(2)
Substantive Law	355	(3)
Procedural Law	358	(1)
Administrative Law in Practice	359	(1)
Independent Regulatory Agencies	359	(2)
Delegation of Legislative Authority	361	(1)
Judicial Review of Agency Action	361	(5)
Review of Discretionary Acts of Officials	362	(3)
Scope of Review	365	(1)
Rulemaking	366	(1)
The Right to Be Heard	367	(4)
What Kind of a Hearing?	370	(1)
Administrative Hearings	370	(1)
Liability of Government and Its Officers	371	(1)
42 U.S.C. § 1983	372	(2)
Summary	374	(1)
Key Terms	375	(1)
Chapter Review Questions	375	(1)
Critical Thinking Review Questions	375	(1)
Cyber Exercises	376	(1)
Scenario	376	(2)
Law in the Age of Computers	378	(8)
Introduction	378	(1)
Computer-Assisted Legal Research	379	(1)
Westlaw® and Lexis-Nexis®	379	(3)
Who Needs Westlaw® or Lexis®?	382	(1)
On-line Services	382	(1)
Computer Dangers	383	(1)
Commercial Databases	383	(1)
Public Access Databases	384	(1)
Key Terms	384	(1)
Scenario	385	(1)
Appendices	386	(1)
Appendix A: How to Read a Case	386	(12)
Appendix B: The Constitution of the United States of America	398	(11)
Glossary	409	(23)
Index	432