Subjects:

Criminal Law

Contents:

The theory of justification and excuse

psychiatric aspects of mitigation

how can mental states excuse?

what does the law allow to excuse?

drawbacks of the present provision

alternatives to the present provision.

Buchanan examines three fundamental precepts in criminal law: justification, excuse and mitigation. He gives a philosophical analysis, as well as discussing current legal provision for mentally disordered offenders in England and America. The author also combines a jurisprudential analysis of justification, excuse and mitigation with a discussion of current legal provision for metnally disordered offenders.