“Absolutely 100% Not Guilty”
A Contemporary Case Study of the O.J. Simpson Trial
(Second Edition)
©2025, 268 pages
Paperback list price: $54.95
Cognella Direct Ebook: $48.95
You save $6 (11%)
Learn about all formats available for adoption
Bookstore Managers: contact orders@cognella.com to place an order
“Absolutely 100% Not Guilty:” A Contemporary Case Study of the O.J. Simpson Trial offers readers an immersive foray into one of the most notorious legal battles in American history. The book presents the details of the murder trial, examining its impact on the U.S. legal system and popular culture. Designed for undergraduate law and criminal justice students, this edition has been carefully revised and updated to meet contemporary classroom needs.
The book is structured to follow the proceedings of the trial, beginning with background on the crime, exploring the venue and key legal actors, and telling the story of the arrest, pre-trial activities, and the trial itself. Additional chapters discuss the presentation of evidence, witness testimonies, jury instructions, and closing arguments. This edition utilizes trial transcripts, imagery from the trial, and analysis of the legal processes to enhance the reader's understanding. Key criminal justice procedures such as jury selection and the ethics of prosecution and defense are succinctly explained, and a glossary of terms is included for clarity.
Providing an engaging exploration of an infamous trial and its lasting impact, “Absolutely 100% Not Guilty” is ideal for courses and programs in criminal justice, law, or political science. The book is especially useful for classes that examine the U.S. legal system and the process of trial by jury, many of which will benefit tremendously from the real-world, comprehensive case study it offers.
The book is structured to follow the proceedings of the trial, beginning with background on the crime, exploring the venue and key legal actors, and telling the story of the arrest, pre-trial activities, and the trial itself. Additional chapters discuss the presentation of evidence, witness testimonies, jury instructions, and closing arguments. This edition utilizes trial transcripts, imagery from the trial, and analysis of the legal processes to enhance the reader's understanding. Key criminal justice procedures such as jury selection and the ethics of prosecution and defense are succinctly explained, and a glossary of terms is included for clarity.
Providing an engaging exploration of an infamous trial and its lasting impact, “Absolutely 100% Not Guilty” is ideal for courses and programs in criminal justice, law, or political science. The book is especially useful for classes that examine the U.S. legal system and the process of trial by jury, many of which will benefit tremendously from the real-world, comprehensive case study it offers.
Frank Schmalleger is Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of North Carolina, Pembroke. He holds master’s and doctorate degrees in sociology with a special emphasis on criminology from The Ohio State University.
Jennifer L. Moore is Professor of Criminal Justice at DeSales University. She holds a J.D. from Emory University School of Law and a B.A. in government from Dartmouth College.
Other Cognella titles by Frank Schmalleger:Formats and Bulk Order Pricing for Confirmed Adoptions
Publisher Direct Versions — Available through the Cognella Student Store for confirmed adoptions |
||
|
$48.95
Best Value! |
Publisher Direct Ebook | Publisher Direct ebooks are available in your Cognella account immediately after purchase and provide access for 180 days. Our ebooks run on VitalSource and RedShelf with perpetual/annual options available. |
|
$55.95
Shipping Included! |
Publisher Direct Paperback | These special, discounted paperback editions are sold exclusively through the Cognella Student Store (store.cognella.com) for confirmed adoptions. They are not available through other retailers. The books are printed on demand, do not have an ISBN, and are not intended for resale, which results in savings we pass along to students. Most Publisher Direct Paperbacks also come with free, immediate access to the first 30% of the ebook and shipping included. |
Higher Education Bookstore Pricing — These suggested retail prices include a total projected mark-up of 25% |
||
|
Inclusive Access Available!
|
Ebook 979-8-8233-8170-3 |
We partner with VitalSource, Kortext, and RedShelf to provide day-one access to students through campus bookstores. Bookstores and these vendors share in the total projected mark-up. Learn more about Inclusive Access at cognella.com/inclusive-access. Contact us for details. |
| $54.95 | Paperback 979-8-8233-0333-0 |
Standard paperback version. Contact us for course adoptions; also available for individual purchase through national wholesalers and retailers — and from our website directly — see Purchase button above. |
| See more options | ||
| Other Formats Talk to a rep for details |
Other formats (perforated, hardcover, etc.) may be available. Contact us for course adoptions; specialty formats are not available for individual purchase. | |
Adopting instructors will receive test banks and PowerPoints.
"The authors demonstrate expertise in providing a thorough and objective analysis, allowing students to evaluate whether the facts support or undermine the case’s central arguments. In offering a description of the background of the lawyers and judges central to the case, and an overview of the jurors' history, the book provides some insight into what role those parties input and motivation may have had in influencing the way the court handled the case. The structured presentation of evidence encourages critical discussion about the burden of proof required in criminal cases. This approach deepens the reader’s understanding and enables them to assess whether the title of the book is justified or whether the verdict itself is correct beyond a reasonable doubt or should be questioned. [...] For legal assistants who are typically assigned the responsibility of researching, analyzing, and providing supporting evidence and documentation to help support their law firm’s cases, and submitting the necessary forms to the right court in the required jurisdiction, this book is a goldmine of indispensable court information - from case establishment to crafting a compilation of admissible evidence to understanding and assisting the parties in arriving at the case’s ultimate culmination and verdict. I would highly recommend Absolutely 100% Not Guilty by Schmalleger and Moore to any aspiring legal apprentices."
Linda J. Collier, M.S., J.D.
“My students are loving this text this semester! I would highly recommend the text to anyone who wants to incorporate a real trial into their coursework. My students have all spoken very highly of the book and tell me how glad they are that I am using it. I hope there are more texts like this in the future – I would definitely use them!”
Deborah M. Rowell, B.S., M.S., Ph.D. Candidate, Criminal Justice Instructor, University of South Carolina, Lancaster
"This insightful companion to an introductory courts text expertly illustrates court principles through the lens of the O.J. Simpson trial, transforming abstract concepts into concrete applications. By methodically aligning with introductory court concepts—from legal foundations to key actors and procedural elements—it provides students with an invaluable real-world framework that deepens understanding of the judicial system at work."
Larry J. Siegel, Ph.D. and John L. Worrall, Ph.D., Coauthors with Frank Schmalleger of Courts and Criminal Justice in America, Third Edition
Linda J. Collier, M.S., J.D.
“My students are loving this text this semester! I would highly recommend the text to anyone who wants to incorporate a real trial into their coursework. My students have all spoken very highly of the book and tell me how glad they are that I am using it. I hope there are more texts like this in the future – I would definitely use them!”
Deborah M. Rowell, B.S., M.S., Ph.D. Candidate, Criminal Justice Instructor, University of South Carolina, Lancaster
"This insightful companion to an introductory courts text expertly illustrates court principles through the lens of the O.J. Simpson trial, transforming abstract concepts into concrete applications. By methodically aligning with introductory court concepts—from legal foundations to key actors and procedural elements—it provides students with an invaluable real-world framework that deepens understanding of the judicial system at work."
Larry J. Siegel, Ph.D. and John L. Worrall, Ph.D., Coauthors with Frank Schmalleger of Courts and Criminal Justice in America, Third Edition
