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Chapter 8:

Chapter 8:. Introduction to Criminal Law. Introduction to Criminal Law. A guilty state of mind : means that the prohibited act was done intentionally, knowingly, or willingly. When lawyers discuss the requirement for a guilty mind it is called mens rea. Introduction to Criminal Law.

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Chapter 8:

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  1. Chapter 8: Introduction to Criminal Law

  2. Introduction to Criminal Law • A guiltystate of mind: means that the prohibited act was done intentionally, knowingly, or willingly. • When lawyers discuss the requirement for a guilty mind it is called mens rea.

  3. Introduction to Criminal Law • Mere carelessness is NOT considered a guilty state of mind • For Example, Meredith accidentally forgot to turn off the stove before leaving for work and the whole building caught fire because of it, she would not be guilty of arson, which is the intentional burning of a person’s property

  4. Introduction to Criminal Law • DIFFERENCES BETWEEN STATE OF MIND AND MOTIVE: • State of mind refers to the level of awareness a person has when committing an act • Motive is the person’s reason for performing the act • Example: Robin Hood stole from the rich to give to the poor • Motive – to give to the poor • State of mind – was done intentionally

  5. Introduction to Criminal Law • Strict liability offenses: these crimes do not require a guilty state of mind; the act itself is criminal, regardless of the knowledge or intent of the person committing it. • Strict liability often applies to less serious offenses such as parking violations; the state does not have to prove a guilty state of mind, only that the car was parked illegally. • UNLESS a legislature declares in a law that it is a strict liability, the courts assume that a guilty intent is required

  6. Introduction to Criminal Law • Statutory rape: having sex with an underage partner; is a crime even if the perpetrator believes the person is not a minor.

  7. General considerations

  8. General considerations • Elements of a crime: every crime is defined by elements of the crime; each of the elements must be proven at trial in order to convict the offender. • In addition to proving any required guilty mental state, the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that all the elements of the crime were committed

  9. General considerations • Robbery: is defined as the unlawful taking and carrying away of goods or money from someone’s person by force or intimidation. • Burglary – breaking and entering into a home with the intent to commit a felony.

  10. General considerations • THUS, if someone breaks into your house when you are not home and takes your property, the person cannot be convicted of robbery; WHY?

  11. General considerations • How can a single act be both a crime and a civil wrong? YES • Clay purposely sets fire to Tamika’s store • The state may file criminal charges against Clay for arson • Tamika may also bring a separate civil action (lawsuit) against Clay to recover the damages to her store

  12. State and federal crimes

  13. State and federal crimes • Criminal laws exist at both the state and federal levels • STATE CRIMES: simple assault, disorderly conduct, drunk driving, and shoplifting, can be prosecuted only in a state court UNLESS THEY OCCUR ON FEDERAL PROPERTY, SUCH AS A NATIONAL PARK

  14. State and federal crimes • Criminal laws exist at both the state and federal levels • FEDERAL CRIMES: failure to pay federal taxes, mail fraud, espionage, and international smuggling, can be prosecuted only in a federal court • Certain crimes such as illegal possession of drugs and bank robbery, can violate both state and federal law and can be prosecuted in both state and federal courts

  15. CLASSES OF CRIMES

  16. CLASSES OF CRIMES • Crimes are classified as either felonies or misdemeanors. • Felony: is any crime for which the potential penalty is imprisonment for more than one year • Misdemeanor: is any crime for which the potential penalty is imprisonment for one year or less

  17. Parties to crimes

  18. Parties to crimes • Principal: person who commits the crime • Accomplice: is someone who helps the principal commit a crime; an accomplice may be charged with the same crime as the principal.

  19. Parties to crimes • Accessory before the fact: a person who orders a crime or helps the principal commit the crime BUT who is not present during the crime – for example, the mob leader who hires a professional killer. • The accessory before the fact can usually be charged with the same crime and receive the same punishment as the principal

  20. Parties to crimes • Accessory after the fact: is a person who, knowing a crime has been committed, helps the principal or an accomplice avoid capture or helps them escape. • This person is not charged with the original crime but may be charged with harboring a fugitive, aiding the escape, or obstructing justice. • Accessory after the fact has been made a separate crime by statute in many jurisdictions

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