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Criminal law essays

These criminal law essay examples are produced using Law Writer’s free plan, giving you a 2:2-standard model answer for understanding structure, legal principles and the application of authority. If you need a stronger answer, credits can be used to generate 2:1, first-class or master’s-level work with more detailed case analysis, sharper criticism and fuller engagement with doctrine and reform.

Criminal law focuses on the principles that determine when conduct should attract criminal liability, as well as the offences and defences that make up the substantive criminal law. Essays may cover actus reus, mens rea, causation, omissions, strict liability, transferred malice, coincidence of act and fault, homicide, murder, voluntary and involuntary manslaughter, loss of control, diminished responsibility, non-fatal offences against the person, sexual offences, theft, robbery, burglary, fraud, criminal damage, attempts, conspiracy, encouraging or assisting crime, secondary liability, corporate criminal liability, intoxication, insanity, automatism, duress, self-defence, necessity, consent and the continuing debate around codification and reform. Strong answers usually require close attention to leading cases, statutory wording and the moral limits of punishment.

Criminal law - a man snatching a handbag at gunpoint

August 25, 2026

DEPARTMENT OF LAW BACHELOR OF LAW (HONOURS) (LLB) YEAR: 2 SEMESTER: 1 CRIMINAL LAW (LAW 221) – 1st ASSESSMENT Instructions 1. Your assignment must be a minimum of 4 pages and a maximum of 5 pages exclusive of the Reference page. 2. Use Times New Roman font, footnotes, 1.5 spacing. Your paragraphs should be justified with font size 12. 3. Your assignment must contain citation of books, relevant statutory provisions and case law. Plagiarism shall nullify your assignment’s submission. The use of Artificial Intelligence is prohibited. 4. This assignment is due on 30th August, 2026 and any submission beyond the said date will not be accepted. Send your assignments through the E-learning platform. The assignments must be in PDF format. 5. Full-time students are required to also submit a printed copy of their assignments in addition to their soft copy. Assignment Question Daniel, a 35-year-old gang leader, threatens two younger members of his group, Peter (19) and Leo (20), to take part in a planned robbery. Daniel warns them that if they refuse, he will kill them. On the night of the robbery, Daniel orders Peter and Leo to attack the homeowner and “make sure he doesn’t call the police.” Out of fear, Peter restrains the homeowner but hesitates to stab him and tells Daniel, “I don’t want to do this anymore.” Daniel replies, “Too late—you’re already in.” Peter then runs away from the scene but Leo fatally stabs the homeowner out of fear for his life. Peter later learns that Leo and Daniel completed the robbery and murder. Peter and Leo are arrested and charged with murder as an accomplice under Section 21(b) and (c) of the Penal Code (Malawi) for aiding and abetting Daniel. They raise the defence of duress and Peter claims withdrawal before the act. In your answer; 1. Discuss whether Peter and Leo can successfully rely on the defence of duress to avoid liability for murder. 2. Examine whether Peter’s actions amount to a valid withdrawal from the criminal enterprise. 3. If Peter’s defence fails, evaluate whether his level of mens rea differs from that of Daniel or Leo, and explain how this might affect his liability as a secondary party.

DEPARTMENT OF LAW BACHELOR OF LAW (HONOURS) (LLB) YEAR: 2 SEMESTER: 1 CRIMINAL LAW (LAW 221) – 1st ASSESSMENT * ...

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Criminal law - a man snatching a handbag at gunpoint

August 22, 2026

Omission

Introduction In the criminal law of England and Wales, the traditional view is that liability is founded upon a positive, ...

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Criminal law - a man snatching a handbag at gunpoint

August 21, 2026

Murder

Introduction The offence of murder is a common law offence in England and Wales and is considered the most serious ...

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