One of a kind book: Comparing Criminal Procedures through Film

Comparing Criminal Procedures through Film is an innovative new book unlike any other book currently on the market. Author Samuel W. Bettwy uses his passion for teaching, film, and comparative studies to help students learn about criminal procedure in a unique and captivating way—through the use of film clips. This coursebook was developed for use in law school courses; however, it can also be used in comparative criminal justice courses at the undergraduate or post-graduate level. Comparing Criminal Procedures Through Film offers its readers a truly unique learning experience.

This book is written by Samuel W. Bettwy, who currently serves as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Thomas Jefferson School of Law, where he has taught Comparative Law since 1995. He earned his J.D. from California Western School of Law, his LL.M. in International and Comparative Law from Georgetown University Law Center, and his M.A. in National Security and Strategic Studies with the highest distinction from the U.S. Naval War College.

Professor Bettwy graduated from the French Army Reserve Staff Officer Course at l’École Militaire in Paris, France in 2009. He has also served as a litigating attorney since 1987 for the U.S. Department of Justice. Professor Bettwy is an accomplished author and is very knowledgeable in his field, having written several published articles on the topics of comparative law, immigration law, international law, terrorism, and film.

Samuel W. Bettwy’s legal expertise and creative teaching methods shine throughout this book. Comparing Criminal Procedures through Film explores legal traditions and procedure in many different countries, through the use of film clips giving students an up-close view of how the legal system is portrayed in that country. The legal traditions for different countries are then studied in greater depth and compared to the traditions of other countries as expressed through film.

Through this book and the included corresponding film clips, students will gain an understanding of which legal aspects the directors and filmmakers of different countries felt were important to portray through film, both consciously and subconsciously. Of course, some of the legal aspects that are frequently apparent in film clips shown from one country may not be considered as important in another country and may not even be shown in the film. After completing the book and viewing these film clips, students will have a deeper understanding of criminal procedure and how it differs from country to country.

Author Samuel W. Bettwy does an excellent job of teaching his readers the analytical framework for making these comparisons, allowing them to put these skills to use later on when examining the film clips and making comparisons between the legal traditions from one country to another. Ultimately, the major goal of the book and course is to allow the student to develop a greater understanding of both the positive and negative aspects of their own country’s legal system, and how that legal system compares to other legal systems around the world.

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