SPEAKING OF CRIME: The Language of Criminal Justice

by Lawrence Solan and Peter Tiersma

"Speaking of Crime is an engaging, insightful and gracefully written tour of how language and cognitive psychology influence criminal law doctrine and practice. It belongs in the library of anyone who teaches, studies, or practices criminal justice." --Jerome H. Skolnick, Center for Research on Crime and Justice, New York University School of Law


    Larry Solan and Peter Tiersma have recently completed their new book on language and the criminal law.  It was originally going to be called "Language on Trial," but we decided we liked the current title better. 

The book discusses issues like:
In the course of discussing these issues, the book will describe an array of fascinating cases in which these questions have played an often pivotal role, including the Lindbergh baby kidnapping, the capture of the Unabomber, the investigation into the JonBenet Ramsey murder, the beheading of King Charles I of England, threats to kill the president, the Clinton impeachment proceedings, and many much more ordinary crimes.

You can order the book at:

The University of Chicago Press
Amazon.com (hard cover)  Amazon.com (paperback)

Barnes and Noble


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