Forensic Linguistics: An Introduction to Language in the Justice System, by John Gibbons

John Gibbons's book Forensic Linguistics provides an excellent introduction to the different areas of interdisciplinary studies involving linguistics and law. Gibbons explores many of the unique linguistic features of legal writing and courtroom speech, and discusses legal regulation of inappropriate uses of language (threats, lies, etc). This review surveys each of these sections of Gibbons's work, and adds in depth critique on issues related to "audience design " in legal documents and the linguistic pitfalls of relying on trial transcripts.