Principles of Criminal Law

Course Description

This unit introduces students to the concepts around criminal law including liability, offences and defences. The unit builds on the foundations of criminal law, actus reus and mens rea. It will investigate the areas of non fatal and fatal offences, theft, criminal damage and defences. Students will also research the key cases and common law precedents that came out of these cases.

Course Objectives

This unit introduces students to the concepts around criminal law including liability, offences and defences. The unit builds on the foundations of criminal law, actus reus and mens rea. It will investigate the areas of non fatal and fatal offences, theft, criminal damage and defences. Students will also research the key cases and common law precedents that came out of these cases.

Key Topics

1. LO1: Understand the principles of actus reus and mens rea requirements of criminal offences
2. LO2: Understand the classification of violent offences
3. LO3: Understand the legal liability requirements for criminal damage and theft
4. LO4: Understand the general defences to criminal conduct

Course Outline

Learning Outcomes

1. LO1 Understand the principles of actus reus and mens rea requirements of criminal offences
2. 1.1 Outline the requirements of actus reus.
3. 1.2 Outline the requirements of mens rea.
4. 1.3 Discuss the relationship between actus reus and mens rea.
5. 1.4 Discuss the nature of criminal conduct.
6. LO2 Understand the classification of violent offences
7. 2.1 Outline all violent offences.
8. 2.2 Explain the defences of loss of control and diminished responsibility.
9. 2.3 Analyse the actus reus and mens rea of common law offences against the person, including assault, battery, actual bodily harm (ABH) and grievous bodily harm (GBH).
10. 2.4 Analyse the actus and reus elements for murder.
11. LO3 Understand the legal liability requirements for criminal damage and theft
12. 3.1 Define criminal damage, aggravated criminal damage and theft.
13. 3.2 Explain the defences to criminal damage.
14. 3.3 Analyse the actus reus and mens rea elements of criminal damage.
15. 3.4 Analyse the actus reus and mens rea elements of theft.
16. LO4 Understand the general defences to criminal conduct
17. 4.1 Define intoxication, duress and strict liability.
18. 4.2 Explain the circumstances in which intoxication can provide a defence.
19. 4.4 Explain the circumstances in which duress can provide a defence.
20. 4.5 Explain how mistakes can give rise to a defence.
21. 4.6 Analyse how defence of self, others or property can provide a defence.