In this second edition of his well-received introductory overview of the Model Penal Code, Markus Dubber retains the book's original aim to serve as an accessible companion to the Code. Professor Dubber unlocks the Model Penal Code's potential as a key to the study of American criminal law for law students and teachers, and for anyone else with an interest in understanding the basic contours of American criminal law.

While the book's general goal and basic approach remain unchanged, its content has been thoroughly revised. Citations to primary and secondary materials have been updated and supplemented where appropriate. The American Law Institute's ongoing revision of the Code's sentencing and sexual offense provisions has been taken into account. Also, the comparative analysis found sporadically throughout the original edition has been expanded in places to provide additional context.