Includes bibliographical references and index.

Contents: The Nature and history of criminal law -- Criminal liability and the essence of crime -- Expanding the concept of crime -- Extending criminal liability: inchoate offense and parties to crime -- Justifications as defenses -- Excuses as defenses -- The Defense of insanity -- Legal and social dimensions of personal crime: homicide -- Legal and social dimensions of personal crime: assault, battery and other personal crimes -- Legal and social dimensions of property and computer crimes -- Offenses against public order and the administration of justice -- Offenses against public morality -- Victims of the law -- Punishment and sentencing -- Appendix A: The Constitution of the United States of America -- Appendix B: Model penal code excerpts -- Glossary -- Table of cases.