Introduces students to key processes of criminalisation, criminal law formation, established concepts of criminal law and the operation of criminal justice agencies. Considers forces and criteria behind criminalisation, and justifications for and against the use of criminal law as a mode of regulation.
Examines key components of criminal law: conduct, circumstance and consequence, how these are operationalised in specific substantive areas of criminal law doctrine such as homicide and criminal defences. Particular attention will be paid to the criminal processes and the workings of the major criminal justice agencies such as the police, the DPP, defence lawyers, and the courts.