Criminal justice expert Norman M. Garland authored Criminal Law for the Criminal Justice Professional to provide a comprehensive study of the rules and laws that encompass the structure of the American criminal justice system. The text offers a wide-ranging overview of the nature, origins, and purposes of the criminal justice system, to help students build a thorough understanding of this complex subject. Highlights include an illustrative discussion of the differences between criminal law and other laws; a thoughtful examination of the elements of crime; and updated data throughout.

The book explores shifts in the emphasis of lawmakers and courts in the shaping of American criminal law in the global political, economic, and social climate of the 21st century. Straightforward yet analytical, the book provides students with a clear and current examination of American criminal law. The book is designed primarily for undergraduates enrolled in basic criminal law classes.