The Handy Law Answer Book. David L Hudson

      About the Author

      

David L. Hudson Jr. is the author or co-author of over two dozen books, including The Handy Supreme Court Answer Book (Visible Ink Press, 2007), The Rehnquist Court: Understanding Its Impact and Legacy (Praeger, 2006), and (as coeditor with John Vile and David Schultz) The Encyclopedia of the First Amendment (CQ Press, 2008). He works as First Amendment Scholar for the First Amendment Center and teaches classes at Vanderbilt Law School, Nashville School of Law, and Middle Tennessee State University. Hudson earned his undergraduate degree from Duke University and his law degree from Vanderbilt Law School. He resides in the Middle Tennessee area with his wife, Carla, and two dogs, Gloria and Gucci.

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      Managing Editor: Kevin S. Hile

      Art Director: Mary Claire Krzewinski

      Typesetting: Marco Di Vita

      Proofreader: Sharon Malinowski

      ISBN 978-1-57859-217-3

      Cover images: iStock.com.

       Library of Congress Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

      Hudson, David L., 1969–

       The handy law answer book / by David L. Hudson Jr. — 1st ed.

       p. cm. — (Handy answer book series)

       Includes bibliographical references and index.

       ISBN 978-1-57859-217-3

       1. Law—United States—Outlines, syllabi, etc. I. Title.

       KF386.H82 2010

       349.73—dc22

      2010000201

      Printed in the United States of America

      10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

      Contents

       ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

       INTRODUCTION

       CONSTITUTIONAL LAW

       The U.S. Constitution

       History of the U.S. Constitution

       Key Concepts and Structure of the Constitution

       Legislative Branch

       Executive Branch

       Judicial Branch

       State Constitutions

       THE BILL OF RIGHTS AND 14TH AMENDMENT

       First Amendment

       Second Amendment

       Third and Fourth Amendments

       Fifth Amendment

       Sixth Amendment

       Seventh Amendment

       Eighth Amendment

       Ninth and Tenth Amendments

       Fourteenth Amendment

       THE COURT SYSTEM

       The Supreme Court Term

       Judiciary Act of 1789

       State Courts

       LAWYERS AND LAWSUITS

       Becoming a Lawyer

       Finding a Lawyer

       Lawsuits

       CRIMINAL PROCEDURES

       The Criminal Process

       Trial Process

       Sentencing

       Appeals

       Juvenile Defendants

       CREDIT AND BANKRUPTCY LAW

       Loans

       Debt Collectors and the Law

       Bankruptcy