NCJ Number
95760
Date Published
1984
Length
346 pages
Annotation
Designed both as study aid and review tool for law students, this text outlines basic principles of criminal law derived from the common law and the Model Penal Code.
Abstract
After discussing reasons for studying both common law and the Model Penal Code, the book focuses on the definition of a crime, covering the actus reus, the mens rea, causation, and proof of the crime elements. The next chapter deals with derivative defenses -- efforts by the defendant to dispute the existence of offense elements. Also explained are collateral defenses, such as self-defense or insanity, which do not rebut the elements of the prosecutor's case but raise collateral issues. The book then discusses liability and inchoate offenses such as attempt and conspiracy. It addresses only one specific criminal offense, homicide, because of the unique and interesting doctrines associated with this most serious of crimes. Finally, constitutional limits on punishment for crimes are summarized. A capsule summary of the entire text is provided for quick review. Each section begins with a brief analysis of the subject and provides examples, short questions and answers to help students recognize major issues, and essay questions and sample answers. A glossary, a detailed table of contents, a chart correlating these materials with other texts, a table of cases, and a table of Model Penal Code references are supplied.