Description
Book SynopsisAll Americans should be deeply troubled by violations of fundamental freedoms in the US 'war on terror'. This is the only comprehensive account of efforts during the Bush and Obama administrations to defend the rule-of-law in criminal prosecutions, courts martial, military commissions, habeas corpus petitions, civil damage actions and civil liberties cases.
Trade Review'A richly detailed and important work that describes critical shifts in US counter-terrorism law and policy since 9/11. Examining such issues as military detention, torture, and religious discrimination, this book provides invaluable insights into the role of law and legal institutions in America.' Jonathan Hafetz, Seton Hall Law School
'Richard L. Abel's comprehensive work on the role of the courts in post 9/11 America illuminates the perilous course traversed by the rule of law in the war on terror. Bringing to life the challenges faced by the country's judges, as well as the rhetoric, reasoning and consequences of their decisions, Law's Trials is a must read for anyone who cares about the law and its role in America.' Karen J. Greenberg, author of Rogue Justice: The Making of the Security State
'Law's Trials is a remarkable achievement, beginning with the near-encyclopedic coverage of all interactions between the judiciary and those accused of terrorism. But it is far more inasmuch as Abel also asks probing questions about the circumstances under which we should expect courts and judges to defend civil liberties against the combined weight of the state and public opinion willing to sacrifice those liberties as part of a 'war on terror'.' Sanford Levinson, author of Framed: America's 51 Constitutions and the Crisis of Governance
Table of Contents1. Judging the judges; 2. Criminal prosecutions; 3. Courts martial; 4. Military commissions; 5. Habeas corpus; 6. Civil damage actions; 7. Civil liberties; 8. Reversible error?
