This text examines the U.S. Supreme Court's evolving jurisprudence on criminal procedure. It is designed for survey courses, critically analyzing how the Court has addressed controversial issues throughout the criminal process, from arrest to appeal. The authors, leading experts in constitutional criminal procedure, present landmark and recent cases, ensuring a balanced view of all justices' opinions. The book's concise format is achieved through the careful selection of pivotal cases, enhanced by insightful introductory commentary that contextualizes the legal developments.

This textbook is authored by nationally recognized experts in constitutional criminal procedure, indicating a high level of academic rigor. The structure, which pairs leading Supreme Court cases with introductory commentary, suggests a pedagogical approach aimed at providing both primary source material and contextual analysis for students. The selection of cases is designed to cover a broad spectrum of controversial issues, implying a comprehensive overview of the subject matter for those studying the U.S. criminal justice system.