Law in Action

• Contents: Ethnomethodology, conversation analysis and the sociology of law, John F. Manzo. Exemplary Studies: Introduction to part I, Max Travers; Practical sociological reasoning: some features in the work of the Los Angeles Suicide Prevention Center, Harold Garfinkel; The lawyer’s work, Harvey Sacks; Contested evidence in courtroom cross-examination: the case of a trial for rape, Paul Drew; The presentation of victim and motive in discourse: the case of policy interrogations and interviews, Rod Watson; Preliminary notes on Judges’ work: the Judge as a constituent of courtroom hearings, Michael Lynch. Contemporary Contributions: Introduction to part II, Max Travers; I’m sorry we had to meed under these circumstances: verbal artistry (and wizardry) in the Kennedy Smith rape trial, Gregory Matoesian; Record-keeping practices in the policing of juveniles, Albert J. Meehan; Justice as a phenomenon of order: notes on the organization on a jury deliberation, Douglas W. Maynard and John F. Manzo; Remorse, redress and reform: blame-taking in the courtroom, Martha Komter; Practicing law: a study of pedagogic interchange in a law school classroom, Stacy Burns; Index.

’...Stacy Burns’ account of the interchange between a law Professor and a group of students would make excellent preparatory reading for law school initiates anxious about the proverbial hot seat...Gregory Matosian’s detailed exposition of segments of cross-examiniation from Kennedy-Smith rape trail...provides a great lesson for students of trial conduct, not least those who are interested in the plight of rape victims in the witness box.’ International Journal of the Sociology of Law ’...welcome contribution to the literature, providing a display of the diversity of ethnomethodological possibilities for understanding and respecification of legal activity.’ Sociology