Criminal Law: Principles and Theory is a major new text written for students taking courses in criminal law. It combines full coverage of criminal law doctrine with an analysis of general principles and policies governing criminal liability. Modern law courses are increasingly concerned with the effectiveness of criminal law doctrine in delivering criminal justice. This book therefore includes an emphasis on evaluation as well as exposition, helping students to understand the reasons for ambiguity and difference in criminal law doctrine, and to develop the skills necessary for effective analysis. Particular importance is attached to explaining the dynamic nature of the law, the reasoning and rationale behind judicial development of criminal law, and the significance of the codification project. Chapter summaries and hypothetical cases are provided to help students navigate their way through this growing and increasingly complex field of law.