NCJ Number
157979
Date Published
1996
Length
126 pages
Annotation
Intended as a text for students and a resource for criminal justice personnel, this book explains Texas criminal statutes, elements of crime, the limits on government in the control of criminal behavior, and the fundamental role that criminal law has in society.
Abstract
The opening chapter is an introduction to the Texas Penal Code (TPC). It addresses the objectives of the TPC, crimes, the elements of a crime, jurisdiction, construction of the code, definitions, pre-emption, criminal episode, and punishment. The second chapter focuses on responsibility and culpability, including the criminal responsibility of corporations, age and criminal responsibility, criminal attempt, criminal conspiracy, criminal solicitation, and renunciation defense. In addition to providing information on TPC provisions, chapters discuss controlled substances from the Health and Safety Code, vehicle crimes under the Vehicle Code, and child-related provisions from the Family Code. Most chapters discuss the nature of criminal offense categories as defined in the TPC. These include assault crimes, criminal homicide, theft offenses, burglary and arson, sexual offenses, alcohol and drug crimes, dangerous weapons, public order offenses, public decency offenses, and organized crime. One chapter reviews defenses to criminal behavior. Listed at the beginning of each chapter are the essential elements of the offense. Each chapter concludes with discussion questions and case problems. A table of cases and a subject index