FROM THE PUBLISHER

Finally, there is a Criminal Law study aid that teachers can recommend to their students with complete confidence: Singer and LaFond's CRIMINAL LAW: Examples and Explanations. Carefully designed to facilitate effective study, and written in a crisp, clear style, this book takes a practical three—step approach:

—Thorough descriptions explore and explain the concepts under consideration

—Examples give students an opportunity to test their comprehension by applying the law to contemporary fact patterns

—Explanations help them measure their mastery of the material and provide suggested answers and feedback

Engaging student interest through stimulating hypotheticals, Singer and LaFond make their sophisticated analysis of criminal law not just painless, but actually fun to read.

Both comprehensive and contemporary, CRIMINAL LAW: Examples and Explanations covers provocative and timely subjects in eight major areas:

—the purposes of punishment

—Actus Reus and Mens Rea

—homicide

—causation

—inchoate crimes: solicitation and attempt

—group criminality: conspiracy and complicity

—rape

—defenses and excuses.

Make sure your students are using the study aid that provides a deep and meaningful understanding of criminal law —— require or recommend CRIMINAL LAW: Examples and Explanations.

Table of Contents

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1: The Sources and the Limitations of the Criminal Law

Overview

Sources of Criminal Law

Limitations on the Criminal Law

The Burden of Proof

Examples andExplanations

Chapter 2: The Purposes of Punishment

Overview

Defining Punishment

The Purposes of Punishment

Examples and Explanations

Chapter 3: Actus Reus

Overview

The Common Law

The Model Penal Code

Examples and Explanations

Chapter 4: The Doctrines of Mens Rea

Overview

The Concepts of Mens Rea

The Relevance of Motive

Contemporaneity, Prior Fault, and Time Frames

Statutory Interpretation and Mens Rea

Examples and Explanation

Chapter 5: Mistake

Overview

Mistake and Ignorance of Law

Mistake of Fact

Mistake of Legal Fact

Model Penal Code

A Note on the Future of Mistake

Examples and Explanations

Chapter 6: Strict Liability

Overview

The Reach of Strict Criminal Liability

Legislative Intent, Positivism, and Democracy

Definitions and Indicia of Strict Liability

Strict vs. Vicarious Liability

Policy Analysis: Arguments For and Against Strict Liability

Alternatives to Strict Liability

"Greater Crime" Theory

Constitutionality

The Model Penal Code

A Recap and Methodology

Examples and Explanations

Chapter 7: Causation

Overview

The Rationale of Causation

The Elements of Causation

The Model Penal Code

Examples and Explanations

Chapter 8: Homicide

Overview

Human Being

Murder

Felony Murder

Manslaughter

Examples and Explanations

Chapter 9: Rape

Overview

The Common Law Approach

The Actus Reus of Rape

The Mens Rea of Rape

The Model Penal Code

Modern Rape Statutes

Evidence Reforms

Examples and Explanations

Chapter 10: Theft

Overview

The Impact of History

Larceny

Embezzlement

False Pretenses

Confusion

Grading

The Model Penal Code

Examples and Explanations

Chapter 11: Solicitation

Overview

Definition

The Mens Rea of Solicitation

The Actus Reus of Solicitation

The Relationship Between Solicitation and Conspiracy

Responsibility for Crime Solicited

Solicitation and Immunity for Crime Solicited

Solicitation and Innocent Agents

Impossibility

Abandonment

Solicitation and Law Enforcement

Punishment

Examples and Explanations

Chapter 12: Attempt

Overview

Definition

The Common Law

The Model Penal Code

Summary

Abandonment

Impossibility: Legal, Factual, and Inherent

Examples and Explanations

Chapter 13: Conspiracy

Overview

Definition

Punishment and Grading

The Special Advantages of Conspiracy for Prosecutors

Duration

The Mens Rea of Conspiracy

The Actus Reus of Conspiracy

The Scope of the Agreement or How Many Conspiracies?

Parties to a Conspiracy

Abandonment

Withdrawal

Impossibility

Wharton's Rule

Immunity for Substantive Offense

Examples and Explanations

Chapter 14: Complicity

Overview

The Rationale of Accomplice Liability

Definitions

Procedural Consequences of Classification

Contemporary Law

Elements of Accessorial Liability

The Relationship Between Principal and Accessories

Examples and Explanations

Chapter 15: Defenses: An Initial Survey

Overview

Affirmative Defenses and Element Negotiations

Presumptions

Excuse and Justification: The Debate and Confusion

Examples and Explanations

Chapter 16: Acts in Emergency: Justification vs. Excuse

Overview

Common Requirements, Common Problems

Duress

Necessity

Self—Defense

The Rules of Self —Doctrine

Defense of Property and Habitat

Use of Force

Examples and Explanations

Chapter 17: Defenses Based on Individual Characteristics

Overview

Insanity

Infancy

Intoxication

Diminished Capacity

Entrapment

New Excuses: The Future Is Upon Us

Examples and Explanations

Table of Selected Cases

Index