Best Supplements for Constitutional Law in 2023: The Ultimate Guide

What is a Constitutional law supplement?

Constitutional law supplements are secondary sources that provide students with a review of the key principles and doctrines in the field of constitutional law. These resources aim to simplify and clarify the vast amount of material covered in constitutional law courses. They can be invaluable tools for law students, law clerks, and practitioners alike in their study of the Constitution and its interpretation by courts.
Constitutional law supplements vary in their formats and approaches. Some have lengthy analyses of the rules and doctrines that make up constitutional law, while others take a more concise approach with a focus on multiple-choice questions and exam strategies. While the approach varies widely, all serve to supplement the primary doctrinal and theorist material of the course. One of the most popular formats for constitutional law supplements is a treatise. A treatise is usually a long-form book that provides a detailed discussion of the various principles and theories that comprise the field of constitutional law. While they are not the most user-friendly or engaging resources, treatises are invaluable to scholars and practitioners. When used early on in a constitutional law course, these texts help students build a solid foundation that they will be able to use later to build upon and apply to practice. Treatises also tend to be the most comprehensive constitutional law supplements available.
Throughout your law school career, you will be exposed to many new terms and phrases that you may not understand. Constitutional law is an area where this is especially true, as the field has developed its own unique vocabulary and terminology. Additionally, we ask why things are the way they are, instead of just learning the doctrine. This section will highlight some of these terms, investigate whether they are still in use , and help you to understand their meaning.
A corpus of classical political theory and practice dating from ancient Greece and Rome that generally advocates the restraint or extensive limitation of government power. A type of government established by the rule of law in which courts possess a limited and defined authority over it. Courts of limited jurisdiction can strike down executive or legislative actions as unconstitutional under this form of government. The expression of the intent of the text of a statute as it would be understood by an ordinary person under the circumstances. A substantive doctrine that provides courts the power to invalidate an act of a legislative body when it is determined to be in conflict with a superior law, such as a constitution. The doctrine is predicated upon the idea that the sovereign people living under a state constitution hold their legislature accountable to their fundamental organic law. A principle holding that non-judicial actors within government have the discretion to fulfill or enforce the law and determine how to do so. The individual liberty granted to a person to safeguard his or her freedom of movement, recognized by the Magna Carta. The maxim that criminal culpability requires a guilty mind, and that neither criminal intent nor the commission of a criminal act acts alone can constitute criminal culpability. A doctrine generally governing the parties’ legal relationship or status before a court. It can also refer to the standing of an actor to enforce or defend a law. The expression of the purpose of a statute by looking at the legislative history that led to its enactment. The enacting clause of the Constitution of the United States. The Clause names the people of the United States as the source of the constitution’s authority. The procedural doctrine mandating that a proper objection to the admission of evidence at trial is a prerequisite to appellate review of the error in admitting the evidence. An adjectival modifier describing criminal intent. It can refer to intent that is general, plausible, or specific. A principal under which an unjustly convicted individual who has served his or her sentence can sue the state for monetary damages. It can also refer to the office of death penalty counsel (referenced by the constitutional right to paid legal counsel for those facing the death penalty).

Best Supplements for Constitutional Law 2023

All supplements are not equal. Some add so much to your understanding, or circuit distinctions, that help you excel in law school, practicing, or the bar exam.
Here’s our rundown of the Top 5 constitutional law supplements for 2023.
Black Letter Outline On Constitutional Law
Love it or hate it, this book is a MUST READ for any constitutional law course serving as a good addition to your textbook. This book clarifies the legal rules and presents you with exceptions to general rules allowing you to learn the fine details of constitutional law quickly and easily. Don’t use this book as your primary textbook, but do consider it as a supplemental resource when reviewing for exams and creating your outlines more efficiently. Even if your textbook covers many of the same topics, this outline will offer a different perspective and discussion that may clarify why the law is the way it is or why the law may be changing.
Constitutional Law: Examples & Explanations
This is one of those supplements that some con law professors love; others hate. It has good graphics and cartoons. That said, it has lots of details requiring you to read far more than you want to about certain topics, but this book can serve as a study guide and teaching tool that puts annotation into helpful context while explaining the black-letter material you’re learning, so you can transition it into a deeply engrained knowledge of the material. It’s a great book for tight schedules.
Constitutional Law in a Nutshell
A bar exam favorite for many reasons. First, this addition clarifies and simplifies constitutional law. Second, this book discusses the rule of law in an effective manner. Third, this book is a favorite of gifted graduates of the law who know what they’re doing and how to study. Fourth, this book has a practice exam with model answers with almost every addition. Finally, this book is concise, clear, and to the point with the law and its nuances.
Acing Constitutional Law
It’s a long and short book at the same time. This book is a series of hypotheticals and essays where each answer builds on the prior ones. It gives you more practice than you have in con law class all year, plus a bar exam review. It has comparisons between federal statutes and rulings from the Supreme Court, and does a great job discussing material you’ve learned in class. This book also does a great job reviewing the Constitution as well as state and federal constitutions.
Understanding Constitutional Law
Another recommended book that I like as well that targets issues you need to understand for undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate students to prepare for the bar exam and most importantly law school.

Selecting a Law Supplement: Key Considerations

Several criteria were used to determine the supplements which made this list: First, the author’s credentials in the field of constitutional law were considered. Who the author is and their teaching history can say a lot about how thorough and clear his or her explanation of the topics will be. Second was the comprehensiveness of the material covered in the supplement. While a supplement with fewer chapters than other books may seem more concise and to-the-point, one which covers all the material in a single chapter area of a casebook, for example, should not be used in place of the substitute if it lacks information not contained in the original. Third, ease of understanding was highly important in determining which books made the list. Law students should not be left with a heavy reading load that they can’t fully comprehend. A well-written supplement that uses straightforward English rather than lofty legalize is more preferable than one that sounds textbook-esque, even if the content is equally accurate. Fourth, alignment with the latest Supreme Court precedents was taken into account. Those who are studying for exams or preparing papers on the newest legal issues may desire a book that lists more recent holdings than those not included in their semester course. Finally, some supplements offer more or less. Many also include practice questions, exam outlines, or additional online content to enrich your study experience. Those which provide these extra benefits were awarded a higher score for added value.

Advantages of Law Supplements

For many law students, supplements are an invaluable resource for clarifying complex legal concepts and for identifying test-taking strategies that work best for them. This is particularly true in the case of constitutional law, where students must grapple not only with arcane legal doctrines but also with a dizzying array of sources ranging from famous cases decided generations ago to the latest rulings from the Supreme Court and lower courts. For example, the doctrine of precedent poses especially tricky problems for first-year law students who are accustomed to the idea that courts should be treating like cases alike. But in the real world of constitutional law, it is not unusual for the precedents in different cases to conflict with one another. And while well-respected treatises exist on the topic, there is no Supreme Court case that definitively defines how to resolve those conflicts. A constitutional law supplement may offer some guidance on this issue, and on many others as well. Constitutional law supplements may also be very useful for exam-prep purposes. While constitutional law exams can differ quite a lot in their content and emphasis, there are always certain topics that are heavily tested by examiners. A supplement can help students to identify these important areas of focus and to tailor their exam-prep accordingly. Finally, and perhaps most important of all, supplements can help students to stay current on state-of-the-art legal developments. There is a vast amount of information that law students need to absorb during their first year or two of law school, and given limited time and other important priorities, it can be difficult to keep track of new developments. Certain publishers, such as Aspen and LexisNexis, release supplements on an annual basis that include new case law. Checking in on a mid-year or end-of-year basis to see whether any cases are included in that supplement can help students stay informed about recent developments in the law.

Expert Insights on the Effective Use of Supplements

Experts recommend a strategy for supplements that goes beyond simple reading. "Don’t just read the case and then the supplemental material; that’s a recipe for confusion and disaster," advised University of Mississippi School of Law Professor Alayna McNary. "First, read the case, paying attention to the language and asking questions about it; then put the case back on the shelf while you read the supplement. This will give you much-needed distance from the case and help you to think about it in a more analytical way."
Former Georgetown Law Center Associate Professor Kalinda H. Rose agreed with Professor McNary and added tips for outlining. "Read the supplement carefully a few times, pausing after important points to think about them and try to explain them to yourself . As you read, either jot down thoughts in the margin of your textbook, or make notes on all the things an outline should include: the basic framework of the law, the analysis of the policy concerns, how the law applied in the case you just read, other cases that might be similar, and the potential for changes to the law. Keep the supplement close at hand, especially if the supplement offers carefully curated hypotheticals, potential exam questions, and model answers, as well as study and exam tips."
Professor Rose warns against overdoing it. "When it comes to studying, too much information can be just as dangerous as not enough. The goal should be to use supplements as study aids, home in on their key points, and quickly identify—and not be tempted to learn—what is not covered."
Ultimately, supplements are only as good as the reader’s attentiveness, balance, and discerning judgment.

Real Users Opinions on the Best Supplements

User reviews and testimonials can be invaluable resources when selecting your supplements. My experience is that the more information you can get about a supplement, the better.
First, let’s look at feedbacks from students. We’ve all heard students wonder out loud about whether the supplements they’re considering will be helpful or not. I’m all for supplemental aid, but want to know what’s already out there to best prepare myself for exams. I like the feedbacks on Amazon as it is a large resource of reviews for numerous law school textbooks and study materials. I like to read the three star reviews (3/5). They are not the most positive or the most scathing. They’re somewhat in the middle and usually are the most thoughtful. Here’s a link to the most recent Amazon reviews for Constitutional Law, 7th (Concepts & Insights) which happens to be one of my recommended supplements.
There are also online discussion lists that focus specifically on law school courses and supplements (among other things). I belong to one and have found it to be a valuable resource:
Consistently, the commentary has been favorable for this year’s supplement recommendations. So far, every student has had very favorable comments. That said, there’s always room for improvement and tweaking. One student feedback was that the E&E was too long and he/she preferred shorter hypotheticals so they could complete practice questions more quickly. True. But that’s not going to change things this semester.
In sum: student and professional comments/feedback are invaluable in making the best supplement choices for your classes and exams. Check out our latest recommendations on The Best Constitutional Law Supplements for 2023 !

Final Thoughts: Enhancing Your Legal Education

Now that you have a comprehensive overview of the best constitutional law supplements for 2023, you are better equipped to make an informed decision on which resource is most suited for your personal learning style, current academic needs, and professional goals. Whether you need a clearer understanding of concepts, face an upcoming exam, or simply wish to broaden your knowledge base, the right supplement can be an invaluable tool in achieving your objectives.
Remember, each supplement has its strengths and weaknesses; there are no one-size-fits-all solutions in the legal world . Make sure to consider price, availability, author credentials, and the effectiveness of the teaching methods used before making a final selection.
It’s also a good idea to stay open to the possibility of switching supplements later on should your situation change. As you progress through your constitutional law studies, you might find that one resource works better than others for your evolving learning needs. Ultimately, this guide has provided you with the necessary information to make an educated choice on the best constitutional law supplement for you in 2023. Happy learning!