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Criminal Law, 14th Edition

Thomas J. Gardner, Terry M. Anderson

Copyright 2026
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Criminal Law 14th Edition by Thomas J. Gardner/Terry M. Anderson

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Overview
Meet the Authors
What's New
Features
Table of Contents
Pricing

Overview

Gardner/Anderson's market-leading CRIMINAL LAW, 14th Edition, is a highly accessible, student-friendly text that combines a traditional presentation with a prescriptive approach for instructors seeking a concise and descriptive method. Gardner/Anderson's CRIMINAL LAW, 14th Edition, combines comprehensive coverage and a student-friendly approach with engaging features and MindTap's interactive learning tools, making complex legal topics accessible and captivating. Chapter-opening vignettes, "You Be the Judge" and "Case Close-Up" boxes explore current problems and issues, offering problems and case studies that focus on specific learning tasks and enhance critical thinking skills. The text incorporates current areas of criminal law and reflects growth and changes in the field, while updated learning tools help students of all backgrounds quickly master complex legal topics. The MindTap platform engages students with video cases, career-based decision-making scenarios, visual summaries and more.

Meet the Authors

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Thomas J. Gardner

Thomas J. Gardner is a proven author and widely respected practicing attorney with more than fifty years of experience, including several years as an assistant district attorney in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mr. Gardner received his law degree from Marquette Law School.

Terry M. Anderson

Terry M. Anderson is Professor of Law at Creighton University School of Law. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1968 and Juris Doctor degree in 1971 from the University of North Dakota, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif and Case Editor of the North Dakota Law Review. After earning a Master of Laws degree from Harvard Law School in 1972, he joined the Creighton law faculty. He has been a visiting Professor at the University of New Mexico School of Law, and the Denver University School of Law. He teaches Criminal Law, Contracts, and Secured Transactions in Personal Property.

What's New

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Chapter-opening vignettes prompt students to reflect on key concepts and highlight developments in criminal law such as execution methods and Supreme Court responses, criminal responses to internet sales and jurisdiction issues in a murder case.
You Be the Judge: These boxes put students in the role of a trial or appellate judge, requiring them to make decisions about real-life cases such as the relationship between harassment crimes and the First Amendment in Chapter 9.
Federal jurisdiction to pass criminal laws comes from the Constitution. The Commerce Clause: Interstate Commerce, Foreign Commerce and Commerce with the Indian tribes, are important provisions in the Constitution that give Congress that power. The book discusses this power and its limits, including material on the Foreign Commerce clause and significantly expanded discussions of the recent U.S. Supreme Court cases on the sovereignty and criminal law jurisdiction of Indian tribes and courts.
Supreme Court Focus: This edition highlights significant Supreme Court decisions impacting criminal law, including the effects of the Dobbs decision on abortion laws, the concept of substantive due process and recent rulings on presidential immunity related to the January 6th events. The text includes enhanced coverage of the latest holdings in death penalty cases as well as a Case Close Up which looks at the U.S. Supreme Court’s view of internet harassment crimes, the First Amendment and mens rea requirements.
Developing areas such as permissible gun control after the U. S. Supreme Court’s decisions regarding a Second Amendment right to bear arms, are highlighted. The “historical equivalent” test announced in Bruen as well as selected lower federal court’s application of the test in Bruen, are discussed. It is noted that in the 2024 Rahimi decision, the majority interpreted the historical equivalent test to mean a “relevantly similar” regulation, not a “twin” regulation on gun ownership and the Second Amendment -- a position favored by Justice Thomas.
The new MindTap® offers customizable content, course analytics, an e-reader and an applied learning experience within your learning management system, engaging students, guiding them toward mastery of basic concepts and advancing their critical thinking abilities, while being Quality Matters Certified.

Features

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Driving home key concepts and helping students maximize their study efforts, end-of-chapter summaries appear as bullet-point lists that are matched to chapter-opening Learning Objectives.
Brief case excerpts provide helpful exposure to the actual language of the courts within the context of key chapter concepts, while minimizing the risk of overwhelming students with excessive amounts of dense legal documentation.
Vibrant concept boxes, graphs and photographs enhance visual appeal while complementing the narrative, encouraging student interest and supporting different learning styles. In addition, Case Analysis and Writing Assignments facilitate critical thinking, case analysis and the development of writing skills.
Making extensive use of court opinions, especially the Supreme Court and case citations, the text clearly illustrates how courts interpret and apply criminal statutes within their jurisdiction. Citations of important decisions on key points of criminal law are included to guide students who may conduct additional research.
A favorite of instructors and students alike, numerous Case Close-Up excerpts use detailed factual statements and extended discussions of the court's reasoning to examine its analysis of difficult or emerging criminal law issues, giving students behind-the-scenes insight into the inner workings of the court system.

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Part I: BASIC CONCEPTS OF CRIMINAL LAW.
1. Criminal Law: Purposes, Scope, and Sources.
2. Jurisdiction.
3. Essential Elements of a Crime.
4. Criminal Liability.
5. Criminal Responsibility and the Capacity to Commit a Crime.
6. The Law Governing the Use of Force.
7. Other Criminal Defenses.
8. Criminal Punishment.
9. Free Speech, Street Crimes, and the Bill of Rights.
Part II: CRIMES AGAINST THE PERSON.
10. Homicide.
11. Assault, Battery, and Other Crimes Against the Person.
12. Sexual Assault, Rape, Prostitution, and Related Sex Crimes.
Part III: CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY.
13. Theft.
14. Robbery, Burglary, and Related Crimes.
15. White Collar Crime, Cyber Crime, and Commercial Crime.
Part IV: OTHER CRIMINAL CONDUCT.
16. Drug Abuse and Alcohol-Related Crime.
17. Terrorism.
18. Organized Crime and Gangs.
19. Immigration Crimes, Contempt, and Other Crimes Against the Government.
Appendix A: Applicable Sections of the U.S. Constitution.
Appendix B: Glossary of Legal Terms.
Case Index.
General Index.