Criminal Law, Twelfth Edition, a classic introduction to criminal law for criminal justice students, combines the best features of a casebook and a textbook. Its success over numerous editions, both at community colleges as well as in four-year college criminal justice programs, is proof this text works as an authoritative source on criminal law, as well as a teaching text that communicates with students.
The book covers substantive criminal law and explores its principles, sources, distinctions, and limitations. Definitions and elements of crimes are explained, and defenses to crimes are thoroughly analyzed. Each chapter offers guidance to help students understand what is important, including chapter outlines, key terms, learning objectives, Legal News boxes that highlight current criminal law issues, and Quick Checks that cue the reader to stop and answer a question or two concerning the material just covered. Unique Exploring Case Law boxes offer guidance in using the accompanying cases, which are provided on the book’s website and in Part II of this textbook. A robust collection of instructor support materials addresses teaching and learning issues.
Updated with all the newest relevant law, this book is appropriate for undergraduate students in criminal law and related courses.
Part I
Chapter 1 Defining Crimes
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Definitions of Crime and Criminal Law
1.3 The Purpose of Criminal Law
1.4 Common Law Crimes
1.5 Statutory Crimes
1.6 Classification of Crimes
1.7 Distinction between Crimes and Torts
1.8 Constitutional Challenges
1.9 Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Chapter 2 Principles of Criminal Liability
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Parties to the Crime
2.3 Criminal Act Requirements
2.4 Criminal Omission
2.5 Criminal State of Mind—Mens Rea
2.6 Causation
2.7 Concurrence—Criminal Act and State of Mind
2.8 Attendant Circumstances
2.9 Strict Liability
2.10 Vicarious Liability
2.11 Lesser Included Offenses
2.12 Burden of Proof
2.13 Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Chapter 3 Capacity and Defenses
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Infancy or Immaturity
3.3 Mental Impairment or Insanity
3.4 Duress or Compulsion
3.5 Necessity (Choice of Evils)
3.6 Self-Defense
3.7 Entrapment
3.8 Ignorance or Mistake
3.9 Time Limitations (Statute of Limitations)
3.10 Other Defenses
3.12 Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Chapter 4 Preparatory Activity Offenses
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Attempt
4.3 Criminal Solicitation
4.4 Conspiracy
4.5 Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Chapter 5 Offenses against Persons—Excluding Sex Offenses
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Homicide
5.3 Murder
5.4 Voluntary Manslaughter
5.5 Involuntary Manslaughter
5.6 Suicide and Assisted Suicide
5.7 Assault and Battery
5.8 Kidnapping and Related Offenses
5.9 Hate Crimes (Bias Crimes)
5.10 Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Chapter 6 Offenses against Persons—Sex Related
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Rape
6.3 Sodomy and Related Crimes
6.4 Sexual Abuse and Child Molestation
6.5 Lewdness (Indecent Exposure)
6.6 Other Sex-Related Offenses against the Person
6.7 Sexual Predator and Sex Offender Registration Laws
6.8 Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Chapter 7 Offenses against Property—Destruction and Intrusion Offenses
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Arson
7.3 Malicious Mischief (Criminal Mischief)
7.4 Trespass (Criminal Trespass)
7.5 Breaking and Entering
7.6 Burglary
7.7 Causing or Risking Catastrophe
7.8 Wiretapping and Eavesdropping
7.9 Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Chapter 8 Offenses Involving Theft and Deception
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Larceny
8.3 Robbery
8.4 Embezzlement
8.5 Obtaining Property by False Pretenses
8.6 Extortion
8.7 Receiving Stolen Property
8.8 Other Crimes Involving Theft
8.9 Forgery and Related Offenses
8.10 Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Chapter 9 Offenses Involving Morality and Decency
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Prostitution-Related Offenses
9.3 Offenses Related to Obscenity
9.4 Bigamy, Polygamy, and Incest
9.5 Other Offenses within the Family
9.6 Abortion
9.7 Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Chapter 10 Offenses against Public Peace
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Disorderly Conduct
10.3 Vagrancy and Loitering
10.4 Drunkenness
10.5 Drug Laws
10.6 Riot and Related Offenses
10.7 Counterterrorism Laws
10.8 Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Chapter 11 Offenses against Justice Administration
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Perjury and Related Offenses
11.3 Bribery and Related Offenses
11.4 Obstructing Justice
11.5 Escape
11.6 Resisting Arrest
11.7 Evading Arrest
11.8 Other Offenses against Justice Administration
11.9 Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Chapter 12 Business and Corporate Crimes
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Principles of Corporate Liability
12.3 False Advertising
12.4 Commercial Bribery
12.5 Tax Evasion and Money Laundering
12.6 Computer Crimes
12.7 Regulatory Crimes
12.8 Summary
Key Terms
Review Questions
Part II
Cases Relating to Chapter 1
Cases Relating to Chapter 2
Cases Relating to Chapter 3
Cases Relating to Chapter 4
Cases Relating to Chapter 5
Cases Relating to Chapter 6
Cases Relating to Chapter 7
Cases Relating to Chapter 8
Cases Relating to Chapter 9
Cases Relating to Chapter 10
Cases Relating to Chapter 11
Cases Relating to Chapter 12
Notes
Glossary/Index
Index of Cases
Biography
Joycelyn M. Pollock (Ph.D., State University of New York at Albany; J.D., University of Houston) is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Texas State University, San Marcos. In addition to 35 years of teaching at the university level, she delivered training to police officers and correctional professionals in the areas of sexual harassment, ethics, criminology, and ethical leadership. She was a member of the U.S. Office of Justice Programs Science Advisory Board, on the editorial boards of Women & Criminal Justice and Crime & Delinquency, and a Trustee-at-Large to the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. Pollock has published more than 25 books in the areas of ethics, female criminality, corrections, and law. She has received numerous awards, including the Outstanding Alumni Award of SUNY-Albany, the Bruce Smith Sr. Award from the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS), and the ACJS Academy Fellow Award for distinguished teaching and scholarly achievement, and she was awarded the University Distinguished Professor Award at Texas State University in 2014. She continues to write and consult in the areas of ethical leadership and training in criminal justice.
