On The Principles Of Criminal Law

This stimulating and authoritative text addresses the underlying principles and rationales of criminal law, bringing the subject to life through a critically engaging and contextual approach. The fifth edition incorporates detailed discussion of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and explores current controversies such as the shape of the law of murder, including discussion the Law Commission's 2005 proposals. Andrew Ashworth's book remains essential reading for students seeking an in-depth and sophisticated exploration of criminal law that makes the theoretical background clear and accessible. Book jacket.

"The Most Important Treatise on Criminal Law Produced by American Legal Scholarship" First published to great acclaim in 1947, Hall's General Principles of Criminal Law is one of the undisputed classics in its field. It provides more than a broad overview. Drawing on his expertise in jurisprudence and the work of the legal realists, it analyzes the principles that comprise criminal activity with an emphasis on its creation and definition by officials. This process is explored in the chapters on criminology, criminal theory and penal theory and, in more specific terms, the chapters on legality, mens rea, harm, causation, punishment, strict liability, ignorance and mistake, necessity and coercion, mental disease, intoxication and criminal attempt. "For many years, our standard work on criminal law has been Bishop's. First published in 1856, Bishop's is the only American book in the field that has conspicuously influenced our criminal law. (...) When Jerome Hall's, General Principles of Criminal Law (1947) appeared, it represented the first significant effort to articulate the principles of criminal law since Bishop's era. Hall's work may, in fact, represent the most important treatise on criminal law produced by American legal scholarship." --Fred Cohen, Journal of Legal Education 16 (1963-64) 260.

Ashworth's Principles of Criminal Law, now in its ninth edition, takes a distinctive approach to the subject of criminal law, whilst still covering all of the vital topics found on criminal law courses. Uniquely theoretical, it seeks to enlighten the reader as to the underlying principles and theoretical foundations of the criminal law, critically engaging readers by contextualizing and analysing the law. This is essential reading for students seeking a sophisticated and critically engaging exploration of the subject. Online Resources The text is accompanied by online resources housing a full bibliography as well as a selection of useful web links.

Opens with a consideration of the social, economic and historical context of criminal law before examining the principles that form the basis of criminal law in Australia. Case studies of important decisions influencing the development of the law are included and interesting issues are highlighted.