NCJ Number
213107
Date Published
2004
Length
947 pages
Annotation
Intended for those who are or are preparing to be criminal justice professionals, this book explains the general features and specific content of criminal law, followed by the presentation of leading court decisions that interpret and apply specific criminal laws.
Abstract
The first chapter addresses the sources, distinctions, and limitations of criminal law. Chapter 2 presents the principles of criminal liability, which pertain to the behaviors and states of mind that constitute a criminal act. Chapters 3 through 13 describe the crimes included in the laws of most States and that are prominent in Federal law. One chapter addresses offenses that directly harm persons' bodies or kill them, with a separate chapter on crimes against persons that involve sexual behavior by the perpetrator. Other chapters define the elements of crimes that relate to taking possession of or destroying another person's property against their will, such as robbery, burglary, arson, and embezzlement. Separate chapters focus on forgery and other fraud offenses, as well as white-collar and corporate crime. Two chapters deal with crimes against the social order, such as offenses against common morality and decency and offenses that disrupt the public peace. Another chapter describes offenses that undermine the enforcement and administration of the criminal law, such as perjury and related offenses, bribery, and the obstruction of justice. A separate chapter explains the content of laws that prohibit and punish trafficking in and the sale and possession of drugs that can harm people and have no legitimate medical purpose. Another chapter discusses preparatory-activity crimes, common defenses by those charged with crimes, and offenses tailored to counter certain behaviors by juveniles. Part II of the book presents leading decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court, lower Federal courts, and State courts. 4 appendixes with supplementary material, a table of cases, and a subject index