Crim Law Flashcards
Specific Intent
Intent to cause the exact result that’s criminalized
Specific Intent Crimes
FIAT
- First Degree Murder
- Inchoate crimes - conspiracy, attempt, solicitation
- Assault with attempt to commit battery
- Theft crimes - larceny, burglary, robbery, forgery, embezzelment
MAlice Crimes
- Murder
- Arson
General Intent
Intent to perform an act
MPC States of Mind
- Purposely - highest culpability
- Knowingly and willfully
- Recklessly
- Negligently
Principals
Rule - Ds whose act or omission forms the actus reus
Accomplice Liability
Intent + Definition
People who assist the principal before or during the commission of a crime
Must have intent of assisting the principal
Same degree of liability as principal - liable for:
1. Planned crime, and
2. Foreseeable crimes
Accessories after the Fact
People who assist D after the crime has been committed
Accomplice Liability Mental States
Majority & minority
Majority/MPC - must act with purpose/intent to assist
Minority - intentionally or knowingly aids or causes another person to commit offense
Mistake of Law Defense
Not a defense
Three exceptions:
1. Reliance on high level government interpretations
2. Lack of notice
3. Mistake of law that goes to an element of specific intent
Mistake of Fact Defense
For each type of intent
- Strict Liability - never defense
- General Intent - only if mistake is reasonable and goes to the criminal intent
- Specific Intent - valid defense regardless of whether mistake is reasonable or unreasonable
4 Insanity Tests
- M’Naghten
- Irresistable Impulse
- Durham Rule
- MPC
ALL require that D have a mental disease/defect
M’Naghten Test
D either did not know the nature of the act or did not know that the act was wrong because of mental disease/defect
Irresistable Impulse
D has a mental disease or defect that prevents D from controlling himself
Durham Rule
D would not have committed the crime but for having a mental disease/defect
Rarely use
MPC Insanity Test
Due to mental disease/defect, D did not have the substantial capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of his actions or conform his conduct to the law
Involuntary Intoxication Defense
Valid for general, specific, and malice crimes if negates the necessary mens rea