This course provides the student with an understanding of the general principles of criminal law, together with a detailed knowledge of the application of these principles in respect of major crimes. The student is also introduced to aspects of pre-trial criminal procedure, including police powers of arrest, search, seizure and interrogation.
The objectives of the course are:
(a) to introduce students to aspects of pre-trial criminal procedure with a view to appreciating the competing public policy considerations of crime control and individual liberty;
(b) to provide students with a basic understanding of the general principles of criminal responsibility through an appreciation of criminal law theory, and the study of major crimes and defences;
The topics to be studied include:-
1) Introduction to general principles of criminal responsibility
2) Property Offences
3) Assault
4) Sexual Assault
5) Homicide
6) Mens Rea
7) Involuntary Manslaughter
8) Provocation
9) Self Defence
10) Duress
11) Necessity
12) Insanity
13) Diminished Responsibility
14) Automatism
15) Intoxication
16) Strict Liability and mistake of fact
17) Complicity
18) Attempt
19) Pre-trial criminal procedure