Crim Flashcards
(292 cards)
Elements of Murder
- actus reus – voluntary killing
- mens rea – malice aforethought
- causation – actual and proximate cause
- concurrence – coexistence of killing and malice aforethought
Malice aforethought can be proved by establishing one of four mental states:
- intent to kill
- intent to cause great bodily injury
- reckless indifference to an unjustifiably high risk to human life (depraved heart)
- intent to commit a felony (felony murder rule)
Two methods D can use to mitigate murder to voluntary manslaughter
- adequate provocation
2. imperfect self-defense (mistaken justification)
Attempt elements
- specific intent to commit crime
2. overt act beyond mere preparation
Larceny elements
- actus reus – trespassory taking and carrying away of personal property
- mens rea – intent to permanently deprive
- causation – actual and proximate cause
- concurrence – coexistence of taking and intent to permanently deprive
Nonlawful possession – takes $ out of cash register at end of shift
Embezzlement elements
- actus reus – fraudulent conversion of personal property
- mens rea – intent to defraud
- causation – actual and proximate cause
- concurrence – coexistence of conversion and intent to defraud
Lawful possession at the time of misappropriation (high level agents, fiduciaries, etc.) – takes $ from customer and puts it directly into pocket
False pretenses elements
- actus reus – obtaining title to property by a knowing false representation of past or present material fact
- mens rea – intent to defraud
- causation – actual and proximate cause
- concurrence – coexistence of obtaining title and intent to defraud
Thief obtains title
Larceny by trick elements
- actus reus – obtaining custody to property by a knowing false representation of past or present material fact
- mens rea – intent to defraud
- causation – actual and proximate cause
- concurrence – coexistence of obtaining custody and intent to defraud
Thief obtains possession
Exceptions to the warrant requirement
- stop and frisk
- search incident to lawful arrest
- plain view
- automobile exception
- consent
- hot pursuit
- exigent circumstances
Stop and Frisk Doctrine
If reasonable and articulable suspicion, police may
-briefly stop and question suspect AND
-frisk suspect’s outer clothing for weapons only
Police may reach into suspect’s clothing and seize an item if they reasonably believe the object is contraband based on its plain feel
5th amendment triggered by
a custodial interrogation
- custody: would a reasonable person feel free to terminate? How similar is the situation to traditional arrest?
- interrogation: behavior the police should know is reasonably likely to elicit an incriminating response
Miranda rights are:
silence, right to counsel
6th Amendment
Govt may not elicit incriminating statements from D without aid of counsel once formal charges have been filed
This is offense specific – only applies to the current charge- can be questioned about other offenses
5A or 6A is offense specific?
6A
only applies to the current charge- can be questioned about other offenses
4A Standing
D must have a reasonable expectation of privacy in the premises searched or the items seized
-must be violated to establish standing
State has jx over a crime if
- act committed in state
- result occurred in state
Solicitation and attempt ____ merge into completed crime
DOES
Conspiracy ___ merge into completed crime
DOES NOT
can be convicted of both conspiracy to commit X and X
Under MPC, D may not be convicted of ___ inchoate crime
More than one
Felonies generally punishable by
Death or imprisonment for more than one year
Elements of a crime
Almost always requires proof of -physical act (actus reus) -mental state (mens rea) -concurrence of the act and mental state (may also require proof of result and causation)
Crime element: physical act
D must have performed voluntary physical act or failed to act
Legal duty to act can arise by
- statute
- contract (ex lifeguard or nurse on duty)
- by relationship between parties (ex parent/child)
- voluntary assumption of care
- D created the peril for the victim
Defenses to specific intent crimes only
- voluntary intoxication
- unreasonable mistake of fact