This book investigates the philosophical and legal foundations of criminal excuses to determine when individuals who commit intentional wrongdoing should be legally exonerated. Jeremy Horder, a professor of criminal law, challenges the traditional 'classical' view of excuses that dominates many international legal systems. By analyzing the limitations of current frameworks, he proposes a more expansive approach that incorporates modern understandings of human agency and moral responsibility.

Legal scholars and practitioners recognize this monograph as a significant contribution to the discourse on criminal responsibility and the evolution of legal doctrine. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is intended for an audience of legal professionals and students of jurisprudence.