This is an up-to-date, theoretical and critical focus on Scots criminal law for students and practitioners. Now in its second edition, Scots Criminal Law - A Critical Analysis provides a clear statement of the current law and, retaining the theoretical and critical focus of the first edition, considers what behaviours are subject to the criminal law sanction and why. In the four years since the first edition, the courts have redefined the crimes of murder and breach of the peace; and broadened the application of the necessity defence. Key statutory developments include the enactment of the Criminal Arstice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010, and the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012. This second edition has been updated throughout to reflect these changes.