Applying Statistics in the Courtroom: A New Approach for Attorneys and Expert Witnesses [Hardcover]

Philip Good (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 11, 2001 | ISBN-10: 1584882719 | ISBN-13: 978-1584882718 | Edition: 1

This publication is directed at both attorneys and statisticians to ensure they will work together successfully on the application of statistics in the law. Attorneys will learn how best to utilize the statistician's talents, while gaining an enriched understanding of the law relevant to audits, jury selection, discrimination, environmental hazards, evidence, and torts as it relates to statistical issues. Statisticians will learn that the law is what judges say it is and to frame their arguments accordingly. This book will increase the effectiveness of both parties in presenting and attacking statistical arguments in the courtroom. Topics covered include sample and survey methods, probability, testing hypotheses, and multiple regression.

Editorial Reviews

Review

… This text is largely successful at providing an introductory overview to the attorney and the statistician, which will prepare them for entering the unknown territory of the other group. … For the statistician who is unfamiliar with legal proceedings, the book provides specific and sound advice on methods for presenting statistical concepts in terms that a judge would understand. Similarly, attorneys who are seeking to use supporting statistics in a variety of legal settings will find many of the ideas presented useful. … The strength of this book is that it contains practical and useful advice on the use of statistics and probability in such areas as jury selection, discrimination, trademark disputes, criminal law, civil law, and product liability.
—Forensic Science Communications, April 2003, Vol. 5, No. 2

This is the best book on statistics and the law that has ever been written … Unless your company never appears in any adversarial proceeding, this book should be on your bookshelf. It is profusely illustrated with a wealth of cases that will interest any statistician.
—Technometrics, May 2002

Product Details

• Hardcover: 296 pages
• Publisher: Chapman and Hall/CRC; 1 edition (July 11, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584882719
• ISBN-13: 978-1584882718
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,686,701 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A Little Disappointed, October 12, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Applying Statistics in the Courtroom: A New Approach for Attorneys and Expert Witnesses (Hardcover)

I was a little disappointed that the book did not elaborate a little more on the specific cases cited as examples. Most of the time it just indicates if a particular case either set a precedent or was a counter-example to a precendent, and then gives a footnote reference to legal documents. The book reads too much like a synopsis of a legal library. When statistics is discussed, it is an elementary exposition of basic concepts. What I wanted was lucid examples of how these basic concepts actually made a difference in legal cases. I did not get that from this book. This was the first book on statistics and law that I bought and read, so I don't know how to compare it to others. But I will select and try another to see if what I am looking for is out there.

1 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Facts not speculation, October 18, 2001

By 

Phillip I. Good (Huntington Beach, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Applying Statistics in the Courtroom: A New Approach for Attorneys and Expert Witnesses (Hardcover)

This text presents a realistic view of the role of statistics in the courtroom. While obviously intended to introduce statistics to attornies, it provides statisticians such as myself with a clearcut view of what works and what doesn't work in a courtroom setting. Recommended both for attornies who want to brush up or relearn their statistics to get the most out of a statistician, and statisticians who want to develop productive working relationships with attornies.
For a comprehensive review, see Technometrics for May 2002, p185.