Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School (AJMLS) congratulates Vice Dean and Professor of Law Judith M. Barger on the publication of the fifth edition of Criminal Law: Cases, Statutes, and Lawyering Strategies, co-authored with David Crump and John T. Parry and published by Carolina Academic Press (August 2026).
The casebook summary reads,
Criminal Law: Cases, Statutes, and Lawyering Strategies reimagines how criminal law is taught by blending doctrinal depth with practical lawyering experience. The casebook covers the full range of traditional criminal law doctrines, including extensive coverage of the most commonly tested bar exam subjects, and engages students through realistic problems and simulations that bring criminal law to life.
Designed with flexibility in mind, the casebook supports a variety of teaching styles, allowing faculty to emphasize traditional case analysis, experiential learning, or a balanced combination of both. Clear and accessible explanations help students master complex material without sacrificing rigor, while integrated policy discussions connect criminal law to its broader social and ethical dimensions. Flowcharts, visual summaries, and other structured learning aids strengthen comprehension and appeal to diverse learning styles, whether students learn best through reading, discussion, or visual engagement.
A comprehensive teacher’s manual will enhance the casebook with detailed case briefs, discussion questions, and guidance for facilitating exercises and simulations. With its blend of rigorous substance, engaging pedagogy, and practical skill development, the fifth edition stands out as a dynamic, forward-thinking resource for today’s criminal law classroom.
Since 2015, Dean Barger has been a member of the faculty at AJMLS, where her courses have included Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, Death Penalty Seminar, Criminal Pretrial Advocacy, and Advanced Criminal Law Issues & Sentencing Seminar. She previously taught at Appalachian School of Law, George Mason University School of Law, and Georgetown University Law Center. Prior to entering academia, Vice Dean Barger practiced in Washington, D.C. at Piliero, Mazza & Pargament, representing clients in Native American law, litigation, government contracting, and labor and employment law, and served as an Assistant Public Defender in Fairfax County, Virginia. She is admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the District of Columbia, and holds a B.S. from Wright State University, magna cum laude, and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.
Through this fifth edition, Dean Barger and her co-authors continue to shape how criminal law is taught nationally, equipping the next generation of students with the doctrinal knowledge and practical judgment needed to succeed in the classroom and in practice.