"This is the best of the criminal law textbooks I have taught from.…So many texts seem designed to impress other professors, but this one makes sense to the students, while not skimping on the material presented." ― Brian Cranny , Greenville Technical College   Essential Criminal Law , Second Edition  equips students with a foundational and practical understanding of criminal law in the United States, as well as encourages strong legal reasoning skills for students with no prior exposure to case law. Award-winning professor and bestselling author Matthew Lippman guides students through the complexities of the legal system using thought-provoking examples of real-life crimes and legal defenses, along with highly approachable case analyses. Updated with the most current developments in criminal law and public policy, the Second Edition takes students beyond the classroom and prepares them to apply criminal law in today’s legal world. "This is the best of the criminal law textbooks I have taught from. I think it is more student-centered. So many texts seem designed to impress other professors, but this one makes sense to the students, while not skimping on the material presented." -- Brian Cranny "I would, and have, described the book as a nice succinct clearly written text ideal for an introductory course in criminal law. I also say that I highly recommend it for such a course, and tell them that I keep using it. I also praise the support (supplemental) materials that come with it." -- Stephen M. Sherlock "…Helpful equations regarding criminal law." -- Stephen A Brundage Matthew Lippman is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Criminology, Law, and Justice at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) and has taught criminal law and criminal procedure for more than 30 years. He has also taught courses on civil liberties, law and society, and terrorism and has taught international criminal law at UIC School of Law. He earned a doctorate in political science from Northwestern University, earned a master of laws from Harvard Law School, and is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar. He has been voted by the graduating seniors at UIC to receive the Silver Circle Award for outstanding teaching on six separate occasions and has also received the UIC Flame Award from the University of Illinois Alumni Association, as well as the Excellence in Teaching Award, the Teaching Recognition (Portfolio) Award, the HOPE Award, and the Honors College Fellow of the Year Award. The university chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma, the criminal justice honors society, named him Criminal Justice Professor of the Year on three occasions. In 2008, he was recognized as a College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Master Teacher. He was honored by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, which named him Commencement Marshal at the May 2012 graduation. Professor Lippman is also recognized in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. Professor Lippman is author of 100 articles and author or coauthor of six books. These publications focus on criminal law and criminal procedure, international human rights, and comparative law. He also is author of five other SAGE volumes: Criminal Procedure (4th ed., 2020), Essential Criminal Law (3rd ed., 2020),  Law and Society (3rd ed., 2021), Criminal Evidence (2016), and Striking the Balance: Debating Criminal Justice and Law (2018). In 2018, he received the Cornerstone Author Award from SAGE Publishing. His work is cited in hundreds of academic publications and by domestic and international courts and organizations. He also has served on legal teams appearing before the International Court of Justice in The Hague and submitting briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court, has testified as an expert witness on international law before numerous state and federal courts, and has consulted with both private organizations and branches of the U.S. government. Professor Lippman regularly appears as a radio and television commentator and is frequently quoted in leading newspapers. He has served in every major administrative position at UIC in the Department of Criminology, Law, and Justice including Department Head, Director of Undergraduate Studies, and Director of Graduate Studies.