The basic requirements of criminal liability -- Principles for the distribution of criminal liability and punishment -- Do we know what the criminal law commands of us, and does the law care if we don't? Legality, mistake, and omissions -- The significance of resulting harm : causation, attempt, and impossibility -- Can there be criminal liability without proving the defendant satisfies the elements of an offense? Doctrines of imputation -- Can committing a crime be doing the right thing? Justification defenses -- Is wrongdoing ever blameless? Excuse defenses -- Are we responsible for who we are?