A collection of essays on the basic issues facing the American legal system, from a social, historical and philosophical perspective. Exploring recent events such as the McDonald's case, Tobacco Litigation, the Oklahoma City Bombing, and the O.J. Simpson trial, this book captures the essential arguments concerning such important issues as free speech, crime and punishment, the two-party system, and tort reform, and then supports them with the critical facts, statistics, and citations to respected authorities. Useful for practicing attorneys, consumer advocates, and members of the press.