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Criminal Law
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Criminal Law

Second Edition
  • Katheryn Russell-Brown - University of Florida, Levin College of Law, Northwestern University, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
  • Angela J. Davis - American University, Washington College of Law

Other Titles in:
Crime and Law | Criminal Justice

August 2025 | SAGE Publications, Inc
 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
Chapter 1: Introduction and Overview of Criminal Law
Introduction

 
Criminal Law Terms and Concepts

 
Sources of Criminal Law

 
Classifications, Distinctions, and Limitations in Criminal Law

 
Crime and People in the Criminal Legal System

 
The Structure and Process of the Criminal Legal System

 
Briefing a Case

 
Concluding Note

 
Key Terms and Cases

 
 
Chapter 2: Constitutional Limitations on Criminal Laws
Introduction

 
First Amendment

 
Second Amendment

 
Fifth Amendment

 
Eighth Amendment

 
Fourteenth Amendment

 
Right to Privacy

 
Ex post Facto Laws & Bills of Attainder

 
Concluding Note

 
Key Terms and Cases

 
 
Chapter 3: Elements of a Crime & Parties to a Crime
Introduction

 
A Voluntary Act (Actus Reus)

 
Guilty State of Mind (Mens Rea)

 
Concurrence and Causation

 
Strict Liability

 
Parties to a Crime

 
Concluding Note

 
Key Terms and Cases

 
 
Chapter 4: Inchoate Crimes
Introduction

 
Attempt

 
Solicitation

 
Conspiracy

 
Merger Doctrine

 
Offenses with Inchoate Features

 
Concluding Note

 
Key Terms and Cases

 
 
Chapter 5: Theft and Other Property Crimes
Introduction

 
Larceny and Theft

 
Embezzlement

 
False Pretenses

 
Burglary

 
Arson

 
White-Collar Crime

 
Concluding Note

 
Key Terms and Cases

 
 
Chapter 6: Public Order Crimes and Offenses Against Public Decency
Introduction

 
Public Order Crimes

 
Crimes Against Public Decency

 
Drugs

 
Concluding Note

 
Key Terms and Cases

 
 
Chapter 7: Rape and Other Violent Crimes
Introduction

 
Rape and Other Sexual Assaults

 
Robbery

 
Kidnapping

 
Assault and Battery

 
Concluding Note

 
Key Terms and Cases

 
 
Chapter 8: Criminal Homicide
Introduction

 
Definitions

 
Intentional Killings

 
Unintentional Killings

 
Felony Murder

 
Concluding Note

 
Key Terms and Cases

 
 
Chapter 9: State-Involved Crimes
Introduction

 
Crimes Against the State

 
Crimes Committed by Public Officials

 
Offenses Against Public Officials and Employees

 
Concluding Note

 
Key Terms and Cases

 
 
Chapter 10: Justification Defenses
Introduction

 
Types of Defenses

 
Defensive Force

 
Duress and Necessity

 
Concluding Note

 
Key Terms and Cases

 
 
Chapter 11: Excuse Defenses
Introduction

 
Competency and Insanity

 
Infancy

 
Intoxication

 
Syndrome “Defenses”

 
Cultural Defenses

 
Concluding Note

 
Key Terms and Cases

 
 
Chapter 12: Punishment and Sentencing
Introduction

 
Punishment

 
Prisoners’ Rights

 
Sentencing

 
Concluding Note

 
Key Terms and Cases

 
 
Appendix: U.S. Constitution, Selected Sections
 
Glossary
 
Index

For instructors