The problems are designed to illustrate and clarify doctrinal principles and conflicts, place students in real-life situations, help students view First Amendment issues in modern and historical context, and prepare students for actual practice. Some problems probe divisions in the law while others ask students to apply existing doctrine to new situations. Some problems place students in the position of a lawyer and ask them to explain how they might argue a particular case (e.g., what facts or arguments they might use in support of their positions). The ultimate objective is to advance student ability to solve problems using critical thinking and thereby accelerate development of a core laywering skill.

Tradeoffs are necessary for any constitutional law casebook, and this book is no different. Although it includes the landmark cases, it does not attempt to catalog every decision (even every United States Supreme Court ruling) in each of the relevant areas. The authors have chosen cases for a variety of reasons: because they are modern cases that reflect the current state of the law; because they are "landmarks" that students need to read and understand; or because (even though they might be older cases) they provide critical context or enrich understanding and perspective.