Non-Fiction Book Reviews

Book Review: But They Didn't Read Me My Rights!

By Sandy Amazeen Jul 7, 2010, 2:35 GMT

Do the police have to read you your rights when they arrest you? Can you get charged with drunk driving if you weren\'t even driving the car? Do contracts have to be in writing to be enforceable? If you break up with your fiance, can you keep the ring? Do you have to pass the bar exam to become a lawyer?As the above questions illustrate, we live in a society ...more

This fascinating look at the vagaries of the American legal system is both informative and highly entertaining as the coauthors take a quick look at everything from Miranda rights to becoming a lawyer. The question and answer format provides enough information to be useful without rhetoric or legal doublespeak while examining a range of prevalent misconceptions. For instance, you can be arrested for DUI while just sitting in your car with the keys in the ignition, police can search your residence without a warrant and it is possible to be arrested and convicted on a mere allegation.

Often contradictory, counter intuitive and downright lacking in common sense, many facets of the American legal system have been distilled into this easy to understand and enlightening look at what makes it all tick. Recommended reading for anyone looking to expand their knowledge of important legal issues.