Clear, concise, and easy to understand, this updated Sixth Edition of FOUNDATIONS OF LAW: CASES, COMMENTARY, AND ETHICS provides a comprehensive overview of American law and its legal system to help students build the foundation necessary for success in advanced courses of study. Over 70 excerpted judicial opinions illustrate basic themes, while instructive case studies challenge students to apply concepts to difficult scenarios. To help students master key concepts, the Sixth Edition includes new chapter-opening learning objectives, as well as chapter review questions, critical thinking questions, and cyber exercises.

1. Law and the Profession of Law.
2. Ethics.
3. Sources of the Law: Cases.
4. Sources of the Law: Legislation.
5. Trial and Appellate Courts.
6. State and Federal Courts.
7. Procedure in Civil Cases.
8. The Law of Criminal Procedure.
9. Criminal Law.
10. Torts, Personal Injury, and Compensation.
11. Contracts and Commercial Law.
12. The Law of Property.
13. Family Law.
14. Administrative Law and Procedure.
Appendix A: How to Read and Brief a Case.
Appendix B: The Constitution of the United States of America.
Glossary.
Index.

Clear, concise, and easy to understand, this updated Sixth Edition of FOUNDATIONS OF LAW: CASES, COMMENTARY, AND ETHICS provides a comprehensive overview of American law and its legal system to help students build the foundation necessary for success in advanced courses of study. Over 70 excerpted judicial opinions illustrate basic themes, while instructive case studies challenge students to apply concepts to difficult scenarios. To help students master key concepts, the Sixth Edition includes new chapter-opening learning objectives, as well as chapter review questions, critical thinking questions, and cyber exercises. Key information, including licensing of paralegals, has been updated to reflect the latest developments in the field. An updated chapter on Family Law provides current information on this fast-moving area of law. All important areas of American law and its legal system, including ethics, are covered in a manner that doesn’t overwhelm students. “You Be the Judge” features engage students and ask them to apply the concepts they are learning to a realistic case. These features can assigned or used to generate class discussion. Chapter-ending review questions assess student understanding of key terms and concepts. Critical thinking questions in every chapter are ideal for stimulating open-ended class discussions. Excerpted cases that contain concurring and dissenting opinions are followed by questions that require students to think critically about the reasoning behind the opinions. Cyber exercises give students an opportunity to research law and law-related resources.