Essential Criminal Law provides a highly accessible introduction to U.S. criminal law that helps students, including those with no prior exposure to case law, build their legal reasoning skills. Drawing from more than 30 years of teaching experience, best-selling author Matthew Lippman guides readers through the complexities of the legal system using thought-provoking examples of real-life crimes and legal defenses, along with approachable case analyses. The Third Edition keep readers up to date with coverage of timely topics and the most current developments in criminal law and public policy.