The third edition of this highly successful concise college text on criminal law has been designed to give the student a clear understanding of the subject. The traditional approach to the subject is to introduce general principles before beginning discussion of specific offences, which often causes confusion to students first encountering criminal law. This text, however, begins by describing one offence - murder - in detail, drawing examples from particular cases. The study of the particular offence is then used to illustrate and clarify the general principles of law applicable to all crimes. This innovative approach helps the student to grasp the complex relationships between general legal principles and the law relating to specific crimes. Subjects covered include: murder, strict liability, parties to a criminal offence, general defences, inchoate offences, unlawful homicide, non-fatal offences against the person, offences under the Theft Acts, and criminal damage to property.