Criminal Law I

Recommended Prerequisites

Good knowledge of Portuguese language, both spoken and written.

Teaching Methods

Lectures on the theoretical dimension of criminal law and discussion classes focusing on analyzing and solving cases. Written exam.

Learning Outcomes

Basic skills in criminal law, with a special focus on the fundamental principles on the application of the criminal law and the theoretical construction of the “criminal offence”. Ability to solve problems related to the categories that compose the 'general part' of the criminal law (actus reus and mens rea). 

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Part I – Fundamental  issues

Title I. The theory of the criminal law (CL)

1. Ch. CL in the formal sense

2. Ch. The CL within the legal system

3. Ch. The global theory of CL

Title II. The function of CL

4. Ch. Goals and legitimacy of criminal penalties

5. Ch. Fundament, meaning and goals of security measures

6. Ch. The definition of the criminal conduct

7. Ch. The limits of the CL

Title III. The application of the CL

8. Ch. The legality principle

9. Ch. The temporal application of CL

10. Ch. The scope of the CL (jurisdiction)

Part II - The general theory of the criminal act

Title I. The construction of the concept 'criminal offence'

11. Ch. Fundamental issues

Title II. The construction of the intentional act offence

Subtitle I. Actus reus

Section I. The facti-species

12. Ch. Objective elements

13. Ch. Causality and imputation

14. Ch. Subjective elements.

Head Lecturer(s)

António Pedro Nunes Caeiro

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Exam: 100.0%

Bibliography

• Código Penal
• DIAS, Jorge de Figueiredo, Direito Penal — Parte Geral, Tomo I. Questões Fundamentais. A Doutrina Geral do Crime, 2.ª ed. revista e ampliada, Outubro de 2019.