A valuable teaching and learning tool for law and criminology students and their instructors. Taking a problem-centred approach, Criminal Law: Problems in Context gives a critical framework for students to understand and analyse the practical applications and consequences of the criminal law in Australia. Gives the techniques to research and analyse the operation of criminal justice. A clear procedure to solve problems is set out in the first section of the book, setting the law in context. This procedure is then used to examine practical 'life problems' and issues in the second section of the book. Set in the framework of the criminal trial, ideas about the substance and processes of crime and justice are presented that confirm or challenge students' understanding. Discusses contemporary and topical issues in Australian Criminal Law. Twenty engaging legal problems are presented in Part 2 of the book. These problems highlight important issues of law and legal process and expose ethical dilemmas. The issues explored include: Euthanasia Discrimination within the criminal justice process Police powers Liability of drug 'mules' Domestic violence Intoxication as a defence Key features: Redesign/new look -- emphasises the Problems (ch 6) and the system to analyse them (ch 3) as a teaching tool -- links more closely to Australian Criminal Justice as a 'useful companion' Two main themes -- law in context and the contested process of criminal trial Engaging 'life problems' used to structure primary topics Each of the 23 problems are presented in a uniform way, allowing easy application of the suggested system of analysis as set out in Chapter 3 Contents: Introduction Part 1 Criminal Law and Justice in Context 1. Locating crime and justice 2. Processing problems with the criminal law 3. Criminal Law: Problem Solving Part 2 Problems in Context 4. Establishing criminal liability 5. Elements of the offences 6. Solving problems for the criminal law Introduction Topic 1 Crime and society Topic 2 Colonisation and the imposition of the criminal law Topic 3 Criminal justice I: Police powers Topic 4 Criminal justice II: Court-room Justice? Topic 5 Criminal justice III: Discretion Topic 6 Constructing the truth: Bail and verdict Topic 7 Determining criminal liability I: Volition and capacity Topic 8 Determining criminal liability II: Elements of the offence Topic 9 Determining criminal liability III: Exceptions to liability, participation and preparatory offences Topic 10 Assault: Domestic violence Topic 11 Sexual assault and law reform Topic 12 Homicide I Topic 13 Homicide II Topic 14 Homicide III Topic 15 Factors affecting liability I Topic 16 Factors Affecting Liability II: Duress and Necessity Topic 17 Factors affecting liability III Topic 18 Factors affecting liability IV Topic 19 Factors affecting liability V Topic 20 Property offences: Dishonest acquisition I Topic 21 Property offences: Dishonest acquisition II Topic 22 Sentencing and punishment I Topic 23 Sentencing and punishment II Bibliography Index