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Contemporary Criminal Law
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Contemporary Criminal Law
Concepts, Cases, and Controversies

Seventh Edition
Available with:


November 2025 | 1 056 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
Providing a current view that encourages students to read, analyze, and think critically, Contemporary Criminal Law: Concepts, Cases, and Controversies, Seventh Edition blends foundational concepts from undergraduate criminal law courses with thought-provoking cases and engaging learning tools. Covering emerging legal topics such as the legalization of marijuana, sextortion, ransomware, health care fraud, trafficking, and insurrection, the text uses real-life examples that students can recognize and connect with. Author Matthew Lippman clearly defines and explains criminal law and defenses while providing cases and discussion questions designed to stimulate critical thinking and in-class discussion. Students are encouraged to actively engage with the text through pedagogical features, making decisions based on factual cases and analyzing the complexities of the legal system.

This text is offered in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support.

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Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
Chapter 1: The Nature, Purpose, and Function of Criminal Law
Introduction

 
The Nature of Criminal Law

 
Criminal and Civil Law

 
The Purpose of Criminal Law

 
The Principles of Criminal Law

 
Categories of Crime

 
Sources of Criminal Law

 
Chapter Summary

 
Chapter Review Questions

 
Legal Terminology

 
 
Chapter 2: Constitutional Limitations
Introduction

 
The Rule of Legality

 
Bills of Attainder and Ex Post Facto Laws

 
Statutory Clarity

 
Equal Protection

 
Freedom of Speech

 
Privacy

 
The Right to Bear Arms

 
Chapter Summary

 
Chapter Review Questions

 
Legal Terminology

 
 
Chapter 3: Punishment and Sentencing
Introduction

 
Punishment

 
Purposes of Punishment

 
Sentencing

 
Plea Bargaining

 
Truth in Sentencing

 
Victims’ Rights

 
Cruel and Unusual Punishment

 
Equal Protection

 
Chapter Summary

 
Chapter Review Questions

 
Legal Terminology

 
 
Chapter 4: Actus Reus
Introduction

 
Criminal Acts

 
Voluntary Criminal Acts

 
Status Offenses

 
Omissions

 
Possession

 
Chapter Summary

 
Chapter Review Questions

 
Legal Terminology

 
 
Chapter 5: Mens Rea, Concurrence, Causation
Introduction

 
Mens Rea

 
Purposely

 
Knowingly

 
Recklessly

 
Negligently

 
Strict Liability

 
Causation

 
Chapter Summary

 
Chapter Review Questions

 
Legal Terminology

 
 
Chapter 6: Parties to Crime and Vicarious Liability
Introduction

 
Parties to a Crime

 
Actus Reus of Accomplice Liability

 
Mens Rea of Accomplice Liability

 
Natural and Probable Consequences Doctrine

 
Accessory After the Fact

 
Vicarious Liability

 
Automobiles, Parents, and Vicarious Liability

 
Chapter Review

 
Questions

 
Legal Terminology

 
 
Chapter 7: Attempt, Conspiracy, and Solicitation
Introduction

 
Attempt

 
Mens Rea of Attempt

 
Actus Reus of Attempt

 
Impossibility

 
Abandonment

 
Conspiracy

 
Solicitation

 
Chapter Summary

 
Chapter Review Questions

 
Legal Terminology

 
 
Chapter 8: Justifications
Introduction

 
Self-Defense

 
The Law of Self-Defense: The Reasonable Person

 
The Law of Self-Defense: Justifiable Force

 
Defense of Others

 
Defense of the Home

 
Execution of Public Duties

 
Resisting Unlawful Arrests

 
Necessity

 
Consent

 
Chapter Summary

 
Chapter Review Questions

 
Legal Terminology

 
 
Chapter 9: Excuses
Introduction

 
The Insanity Defense

 
Diminished Capacity

 
Intoxication

 
Age

 
Duress

 
Mistake of Law and Mistake of Fact

 
Entrapment

 
New Defenses

 
The Cultural Defense

 
Chapter Summary

 
Chapter Review Questions

 
 
Chapter 10: Homicide
Legal Terminology

 
Introduction

 
Types of Criminal Homicide

 
Defining the Beginning and Ending of Human Life

 
Mens Rea and Criminal Homicide

 
Chapter Review Questions

 
Legal Terminology

 
 
Chapter 11: Criminal Sexual Conduct, Assault and Battery, Kidnapping, and False Imprisonment
Introduction

 
The Common Law of Rape

 
The Actus Reus of Modern Rape

 
The Mens Rea of Rape

 
Rape Shield Laws

 
Assault and Battery

 
Stalking

 
Kidnapping

 
False Imprisonment

 
Chapter Summary

 
Chapter Review Questions

 
Legal Terminology

 
 
Chapter 12: Burglary, Trespass, Arson, and Mischief
Introduction

 
Burglary

 
Trespass

 
Arson

 
Criminal Mischief

 
Chapter Summary

 
Chapter Review Questions

 
Legal Terminology

 
 
Chapter 13: Crimes Against Property
Introduction

 
Larceny

 
Embezzlement

 
False Pretenses

 
Theft

 
Identity Theft

 
Computer Crime

 
Receiving Stolen Property

 
Forgery and Uttering

 
Robbery

 
Carjacking

 
Extortion

 
Chapter Summary

 
Chapter Review Questions

 
Legal Terminology

 
 
Chapter 14: White-Collar Crime
Introduction

 
Environmental Crimes

 
Occupational Health and Safety

 
Securities Fraud

 
Mail and Wire Fraud

 
The Travel Act

 
Health Care Fraud

 
Money Laundering

 
Antitrust Violations

 
Public Corruption

 
Chapter Summary

 
Chapter Review Questions

 
Legal Terminology

 
 
Chapter 15: Crimes Against Public Order and Morality
Introduction

 
Disorderly Conduct

 
Riot

 
Public Indecencies: Quality-of-Life Crimes

 
The Overreach of Criminal Law

 
Obscenity

 
Cruelty to Animals

 
Chapter Summary

 
Chapter Review Questions

 
Legal Terminology

 
 
Chapter 16: Crimes Against the State
Introduction

 
Treason

 
Sedition

 
Sabotage

 
Espionage

 
Terrorism

 
State Terrorism Statutes

 
International Criminal Law

 
Chapter Summary

 
Chapter Review Questions

 
Legal Terminology

 
 
Appendix A: Test Your Knowledge Answers
 
Glossary
 
Notes
 
Case Index
 
Subject Index
 
About the Author
Key features
NEW TO THIS EDITION:
  • The new edition is available in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support.
    • Flashcards and note-taking tools help students better prepare for class.
    • NEW! Audiobook Player allows students to listen to text content, boosting comprehension and retention. It offers flexible, on-the-go access, engaging both reluctant readers and auditory learners, improving the overall reading experience.
    • The Offline Reading option in the Student Dashboard offers greater accessibility to Vantage’s reading content, regardless of where students are or how strong their internet connection may be.
  • New cases have been added to illustrate important concepts and recent court decisions, including decisions on legalization of marijuana, victims of trafficking, and digital crimes. Several cases from the sixth edition have been edited to highlight important aspects of the court decision.
  • Four new "You Decide" discussions and five new "Crime in the News" discussions.
KEY FEATURES:
  • Essays introduce and summarize the chapters and topics.
  • Edited cases within the text are accompanied by Questions for Discussion.
  • Following the edited case decisions, Cases and Comments and You Decide review exercises are provided. In the You Decide sections, actual cases are discussed, and readers are asked to act as judges.
  • Selected statutes and the provisions of the Model Penal Code are reprinted and analyzed in Model Penal Code and Discussion Boxes sections.
  • Learning tools summarize and reinforce the material. These include introductory vignettes, chapter outlines, the Test Your Knowledge and Criminal Law in the News features, questions for discussion following each case, Legal Equations, chapter review questions, and legal terminology lists.

Sample Materials & Chapters

Ch1-2


Vantage Reference: 
Contemporary Criminal Law - Vantage Learning Platform

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