Federal & State Court Systems

Federal and State Court Systems: Analysis of History Making Legal Precedent presents students with a collection of articles written by experts in the field that explore the formation of the legal system in the United States, as well as how the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights have shaped and continue to shape legal precedence within the country.



The anthology features three distinct sections. Section I explores the establishment of the U.S. system of government, detailing compromises involved in setting up the government, judicial politics, and the history of the Bill of Rights. In Section II, students read about issues that are of vital importance to the legal and criminal justice field, including the exclusionary rule, the Miranda decision, Brady/Giglio disclosure requirements, and issues at play when judges run for election. The final section addresses issues within the discipline, including how to lead in the face of adversity and challenges experienced by under-represented minorities.



Designed to expose students to diverse viewpoints and provide them with a critical knowledge, Federal and State Court Systems is an ideal text for courses in criminal justice and law.

Alice Elizabeth Perry holds a Ph.D. in law, policy, and society from Northeastern University and a J.D. from Washburn University. She is an associate professor of criminal justice at Westfield State University, where she teaches courses on American and comparative jurisprudence. Her research interests include policing and leadership issues from a national and global perspective. Dr. Perry previously served as a state prosecutor litigating major felony cases, including homicide, arson, drug trafficking, sexual assault, and gun crimes. During her career, she has worked with the FBI, DEA, and ATF.