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Foundations of Criminal Law

NCJ Number
179650
Editor(s)
Leo Katz, Michael S. Moore, Stephen J. Morse
Date Published
1999
Length
356 pages
Annotation
Featuring 48 essays by leading legal scholars, philosophers, and social scientists, this volume comprehensively examines the foundational elements of criminal liability.
Abstract
The selections range in approach from classical to contemporary and cover a variety of topics. A general introduction precedes each section, and each essay is followed by notes and questions designed to encourage readers to think analytically about the issues raised. Contributions to the volume are organized into six sections: (1) crime problem--theory, evidence, and explanations for crime causes; (2) crime and punishment--nature of punishment, boundaries of criminal law, and moral justification for punishment; (3) principal liability--acts and omissions, causation, legality, and mental states; (4) accomplice, attempt, and conspiracy liability; (5) justification and excuse--defensive force, duress, and mental abnormality; and (6) sentencing theory and practice. Notes, tables, and figures