Principles of criminal law

This text has been designed to introduce students to criminal law through a study of the principles and policies underlying it. Exploring the major spheres of criminal liability, the book raises questions about the proper limits of the criminal law, the relative seriousness of harms, the various principles grounded in fairness to individuals, policies designed to further the aims of the criminal law and ideas of criminal culpability. This second edition has been revised to include discussions of all major developments since 1991 and has been expanded to provide more coverage of substantive law. It is intended for undergraduate and postgraduate students studying criminal law, academics and some practitioners of criminal law.