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Constitutional Law and the Criminal Justice System, 8th Edition

J. Scott Harr, Kären M. Hess, Ph.D., Christine H. Orthmann, Jonathon Kingsbury

  • Copyright 2026
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Starting At $84.95 See pricing and ISBN options
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Constitutional Law and the Criminal Justice System 8th Edition by J. Scott Harr/Kären M. Hess, Ph.D./Christine H. Orthmann/Jonathon Kingsbury
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Overview

Harr/Hess/Orthmann/Kingsbury's CONSTITUTIONAL LAW AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, 8th Edition, uses a four-point learning system with numbered learning objectives, Key Terms lists and summary boxes. The text simplifies the U.S. Constitution and criminal justice complexities, focusing on skill-building. Real-world examples and summarized cases help readers understand key issues and concepts. Topics include the Fourth Amendment's reasonable search and seizure intersections with modern technology and social media, and discussions on the First and Second Amendments, electronic surveillance, law enforcement technology, use of force and changes in abortion law. End-of-chapter summaries and discussion questions reinforce key concepts and encourage critical examination. "Constitutional Law in Action" scenarios use visual summaries and more to help students master techniques and concepts.

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Meet the Authors

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J. Scott Harr

The late J. Scott Harr worked in various areas of the law for 30 years. He was the Chief Law Enforcement Officer and Public Safety Director for a suburb of the Twin Cities and served as a police officer for two other cities prior to that. In addition, he served as a firefighter and emergency medical technician. Licensed as a lawyer, police officer, and private investigator, he taught at Normandale Community College, Metropolitan State University, and Concordia University.

Kären M. Hess, Ph.D.

The late Kären Matison Hess, Ph.D., wrote extensively about law enforcement and criminal justice, gaining a prestigious reputation for the consistent pedagogical style around which she structured each textbook. Dr. Matison co-authored multiple editions of MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, JUVENILE JUSTICE, INTRODUCTION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE and CONSTITUTIONAL LAW AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM in addition to CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION. Many of the renowned strengths of Dr. Matison's practical presentation as well as her investigative insights remain hallmarks of this new edition.

Christine H. Orthmann

Christine H. Orthmann holds an M.S. in criminal justice from the University of Cincinnati and has been writing and researching in various aspects of criminal justice for over 20 years. She is the co-author of numerous Cengage Learning textbooks, a former reserve officer with the Rosemount, Minnesota, Police Department, and a member of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS), the American Society of Criminology (ASC), the Text and Academic Authors Association (TAA), and the National Criminal Justice Honor Society (Alpha Phi Sigma).

Jonathon Kingsbury

Jon Kingsbury, JD, has been with the Minneapolis (Minnesota) Police Department since 1995. Most of his career has been spent in uniform, both as a patrol officer and a supervisor. In addition to his time in uniform, he has experience as a department physical fitness instructor, defense tactics coordinator, field training officer, SWAT team supervisor, and in-service trainer. Lt. Kingsbury received a BA from the University of Minnesota and a JD from Hamline University School of Law, graduating magna cum laude. He has taught college courses in report writing and criminal procedure, and has acted as a law enforcement consultant in the areas of use of force and search and seizure. He is a member of several organizations, including the Minnesota State Bar Association, the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association, and the National Tactical Officers Association.

What's New

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  • This text includes enhanced DEI Coverage.

Features

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  • While other constitutional law texts tend to be either government-oriented (for political science courses) or casebooks (for pre-law courses), this text's unique approach -- featuring a pedagogical framework for concept mastery, diverse real-world examples and succinct case summaries written in plain English -- places it in a category by itself.
  • "Case in Brief" boxes present concise summaries of relevant case law so as to avoid overwhelming students.
  • "In the News" boxes use recent headline cases to vividly illustrate chapter material.
  • "Myth/Fact" boxes help dispel some popular misconceptions regarding constitutional issues as they relate to contemporary policing in the United States.
  • "Constitutional Law in Action" features offer additional examples of key chapter concepts in practice -- including proper and improper police actions and the results -- and conclude with debate questions to stimulate critical thinking and class discussion.
  • The authors' signature four-point learning system helps students master chapter concepts. Numbered learning objectives at the beginning of each chapter outline what students will learn as they read, while Key Terms lists provide essential words students need to know to understand the chapter material. Numbered boxes throughout each chapter repeat the learning objectives and summarize the related concepts. In addition, end-of-chapter material includes a summary and discussion questions that further reinforce key concepts and encourage students to critically examine them.

Table of Contents

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1. An Historical Overview.
2. An Overview of the U.S. Legal System.
3. The U.S. Supreme Court: The Final Word.
4. Equal Protection under the Law: Balancing Individual, State, and Federal Rights.
5. The First Amendment: Basic Freedoms.
6. The Second Amendment: The Gun Control Controversy.
7. The Fourth Amendment: An Overview of Constitutional Searches and Seizures.
8. Conducting Constitutional Seizures.
9. Conducting Constitutional Searches.
10. The Fifth Amendment: Obtaining Information Legally.
11. The Sixth Amendment: Right to Counsel and a Fair Trial.
12. The Eighth Amendment: Bail, Fines, and Punishment.
13. The Remaining Amendments and a Return to the Constitution.
Epilogue.
Appendix A: The U.S. Constitution and Amendments.
Appendix B: Reading Legal Citations.
Appendix C: Briefs of Marbury and Miranda.
Appendix D: Shepardizing a Case.
Appendix E: Legal Research.

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  • ISBN-10: 8214112664
  • ISBN-13: 9798214112664
  • RETAIL $84.95

  • ISBN-10: 8214112591
  • ISBN-13: 9798214112596
  • RETAIL $284.95
Instructor Next Steps
Students: Buy now