In nearly twenty years of teaching introduction to law, I've not found a better text than Porto's for helping undergraduates grasp the decided intricacies of criminal and civil law. Grounded as it is in the latest legal research as well as endlessly fascinating case studies, May It Please the Court captures nicely the intersection, and occasional collision, of law and ... Read morepolitics.
Jeffrey A. VanDerWerff, Professor of Political Science, Northwestern College May It Please the Court should be required for all undergraduate classes in law. It forges the vital connection that links the formal logic of the law, cases, and the courts to the broader contexts and confluences that really influence how legal institutions and the law operate in the United States. Porto has done an outstanding job explaining the political science of the judicial process, offering in clear and concise language a lively discussion of what students need to know to really understand the Supreme Court and the law. As someone who has taught constitutional law at both the undergraduate and law school level, I see May It Please the Court as a valuable teaching and learning resource. -David Schultz, Professor, Hamline University and University of Minnesota This book does an excellent job balancing the attention given to political and legal influences on the courts. It also illustrates each aspect of the judicial process with real-world examples, making content more accessible and compelling for students. Well-chosen case excerpts and thought-provoking questions at the end of each chapter make it easy to prompt substantive classroom discussions.
Maureen Strobb, Associate Professor, Georgia Southern University In this compact text, Brian Porto explores the nuts and bolts of our dual court system as well as the multiple political and legal influences impacting judicial decision making. Additionally, the two hypothetical cases capture students' attention and make the text a real winner - highly recommended. -Ron Nelson, Associate Professor, University of South Alabama Show Less