Books by Charles R. Epp

In sheer numbers, no form of government control comes close to the police stop. Police stops are among the most frequently criticized incidences of racial profiling, and studies have shown that minorities are pulled over at higher rates. This book deftly traces the strange history of the investigatory police stop.

It's a common complaint: the United States is overrun by rules and procedures that shackle professional judgment, have no valid purpose, and serve only to appease courts and lawyers. This book argues, however, that few Americans would want to return to an era without these legalistic policies.