CRIMINAL LAW

Catalog description

The purpose of this course is to introduce the principles and objectives of the criminal law and to explore its utility and limitations as a means of social control. The course covers general common law elements and principles, including actus reus and mens rea; general defenses, including insanity, ignorance and mistake, duress, self-defense, defense of others and of property, necessity, and entrapment; the criminal capacity of children and of corporations; theories of liability for various parties to crime; and vicarious strict liability. The focus is on the major common law felonies of theft, homicide, and rape; the inchoate offenses of conspiracy, attempt and incitement; and modern extensions of criminal liability by legislation.