Preface to the eighth edition

• Author: Kent Roach
• Pages: 23-25

xxiii

PR EFAC E

This book is designed to provide a concise and current discussion of

the basic principles of Canad ian crimi nal law. To this end, the heart

of this book examines the principles of the general pa rt of the crim-

inal law: the elements of oences and t he relevant defences. It follows

the traditional conceptualization of the general part, but it examines

unfulf‌illed cr imes and participation in crimes earlier than other works

because of their great pract ical importance and their eective expan sion

of the prohibited act. Regulatory oences and corporate cr iminal l ia-

bility are exam ined together because of their f unctional and contextual

similarities.

A few chapters attempt to place the general principles of the cr im-

inal law in context. Chapter 1 provides an overview of all the topics

examined in t he book and some basic and current cr iminal just ice

statistics that help place the crimin al law in a broader social context.

Chapter 12 examines various trends in the cr iminal l aw, including the

impact of the Charter, broad def‌initions of crime, and the incre ased use

of objective forms of liability.

Chapter 2 examines the constitutional principles that aect the

investigation of crime, the criminal trial process, and the substantive

criminal law as they relate to fault requirements and defences. This pro-

vides readers with a basic outline of the criminal process, which starts

with the legislature enacting a crime that is then subject to discretion-

ary enforcement by police and prosecutors and to adjudication before

independent courts and, in some cases, juries.