Criminal law

Abstract This chapter begins with an overview of the criminal justice process and the elements of a crime, then goes on to the mental elements of a crime, capacity and criminal responsibility, and who is party to an offence. It covers justifications and partial defences, before going on to outline individual offences. These include homicide, assault, sexual offences, arson and criminal damage, public order offences, acquisitive offences, juvenile offences, terrorism, treason, stalking, and also other defences relevant to psychiatry. It then briefly covers some crimes under international law. The second part of the chapter covers sentencing, including its principles, cautions and warnings, differences for children and young people, the differences between life, indeterminate, and death sentences, determinate prison sentences, community sentences, fines, ancillary orders, and final quasi-punishments.