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Index
Chapter 1 CRIMINAL LAW: AN OVERVIEW
§ 1.01 NATURE OF “CRIMINAL LAW”
[A] Crimes
[1] Comparison to Civil Wrongs
[2] Classification of Crimes
[B] Principles of Criminal Responsibility
§ 1.02 PROVING GUILT AT THE TRIAL
[A] Right to Trial by Jury
[1] In General
[2] Scope of the Right
[B] Burden of Proof
[C] Jury Nullification
[1] The Issue
[2] The Debate
[3] The Law
[4] Race-Based Nullification
Chapter 2 PRINCIPLES OF CRIMINAL PUNISHMENT
§ 2.01 “PUNISHMENT” AND CRIMINAL LAW THEORY
§ 2.02 “PUNISHMENT”: DEFINED
[A] In General
[B] Constitutional Law Analysis
§ 2.03 THEORIES OF PUNISHMENT
[A] Utilitarianism
[1] Basic Principles
[2] Forms of Utilitarianism
[B] Retributivism
[1] Basic Principles
[2] Forms of Retributivism
[C] Denunciation (Expressive Theory)
§ 2.04 THE DEBATE BETWEEN THE COMPETING THEORIES
[A] Criticisms of Utilitarianism
[1] Deterrence
[2] Rehabilitation
[B] Criticisms of Retributivism
§ 2.05 MIXED THEORIES OF PUNISHMENT
§ 2.06 SENTENCING
Chapter 3 SOURCES OF THE CRIMINAL LAW
§ 3.01 ORIGINS OF THE CRIMINAL LAW
[A] Common Law
[B] Criminal Statutes
§ 3.02 MODERN ROLE OF THE COMMON LAW
[A] “Reception” Statutes
[B] Statutory Interpretation
§ 3.03 MODEL PENAL CODE
Chapter 4 CONSTITUTIONAL LIMITS ON THE CRIMINAL LAW
§ 4.01 THE CONSTITUTION: OVERVIEW
§ 4.02 RELEVANT CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS
[A] Bill of Rights
[B] Fourteenth Amendment
§ 4.03 POLICY FACTORS IN ENFORCING THE CONSTITUTION
[A] In General
[B] Separation of Powers
[C] Federalism
[D] Protecting Individual Rights
Chapter 5 LEGALITY
§ 5.01 PRINCIPLE OF LEGALITY
[A] “Legality”: Definition
[B] Rationale
[C] Constitutional Law
[1] Bill of Attainder and Ex Post Facto Clauses
[2] Due Process Clause
§ 5.02 STATUTORY CLARITY
§ 5.03 AVOIDING UNDUE DISCRETION IN LAW ENFORCEMENT
§ 5.04 STRICT CONSTRUCTION OF STATUTES (RULE OF LENITY)
Chapter 6 PROPORTIONALITY
§ 6.01 “PROPORTIONALITY” IN THE CRIMINAL LAW: OVERVIEW
§ 6.02 UTILITARIANISM AND PROPORTIONALITY
[A] General Principles
[B] Application of the Principles
[1] General Deterrence
[2] Individual Deterrence or Incapacitation
[3] Rehabilitation
§ 6.03 RETRIBUTIVISM AND PROPORTIONALITY
[A] General Principles
[B] Application of the Principles
[1] In General
[2] Devising a Proportional Retributive System
§ 6.04 COMPARING THE TWO THEORIES OF PROPORTIONALITY
§ 6.05 CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT OF PROPORTIONALITY
[A] General Principles
[B] Death Penalty
[C] Terms of Imprisonment
[1] Rummel v. Estelle
[2] Solem v. Helm
[3] Harmelin v. Michigan
[4] Ewing v. California
[5] Summary
Chapter 7 BURDENS OF PROOF
§ 7.01 PUTTING THE ISSUES IN PROCEDURAL CONTEXT
§ 7.02 BURDEN OF PRODUCTION
[A] Nature of the Burden
[B] Who Has the Burden?
[C] How Great Is the Burden?
[D] Effect of Failing to Meet the Burden
§ 7.03 BURDEN OF PERSUASION
[A] Nature of the Burden
[B] Who Has the Burden?
[1] The Presumption of Innocence: The Winship Doctrine (In General)
[2] Mullaney v. Wilbur
[3] Patterson v. New York
[4] Post- Patterson Case Law
[a] In General
[b] Element of an Offense versus a Defense
[C] How Great Is the Burden?
[1] Elements of Crimes: Proof Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
[2] Defenses
[D] Effect of Failing to Meet the Burden
[1] Elements of Crimes
[2] Defenses
§ 7.04 MODEL PENAL CODE
Chapter 8 PRESUMPTIONS
§ 8.01 THE NATURE OF A PRESUMPTION
§ 8.02 MANDATORY PRESUMPTIONS
[A] Rebuttable Presumptions
[B] Irrebuttable (“Conclusive”) Presumptions
§ 8.03 PERMISSIVE PRESUMPTIONS (“INFERENCES”)
§ 8.04 MODEL PENAL CODE
Chapter 9 ACTUS REUS
§ 9.01 ACTUS REUS : GENERAL PRINCIPLES
[A] Definition
[B] Punishing Thoughts: Why Not?
§ 9.02 VOLUNTARY ACT: GENERAL PRINCIPLES
[A] General Rule
[B] The “Act”
[C] “Voluntary”
[1] Broad Meaning: In the Context of Defenses
[2] Narrow Meaning: In the Context of the Actus Reus
[3] “Voluntariness”: At the Edges
[a] Hypnotism
[b] Multiple Personality (or Dissociative Identity) Disorder
[D] Voluntary Act Requirement: Rationale
[E] Burden of Proof
[F] The Issue of “Time-Framing”
§ 9.03 VOLUNTARY ACT: SUPPOSED (BUT NOT REAL) EXCEPTIONS TO THE REQUIREMENT
[A] Poorly Drafted Statutes
[B] Status Offenses
[C] Crimes of Possession
§ 9.04 VOLUNTARY ACT: CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
[A] Robinson v. California
[B] Powell v. Texas
[C] Current Law: Powell in Light of Robinson
§ 9.05 VOLUNTARY ACT: MODEL PENAL CODE
[A] General Principles
[B] Exception to the Rule
§ 9.06 OMISSIONS: GENERAL PRINCIPLES
[A] General Rule
[B] Criticisms of the General Rule
[C] Defense of the General Rule
§ 9.07 OMISSIONS: EXCEPTIONS TO THE NO-LIABILITY RULE
[A] Common Law Duty to Act: “Commission by Omission”
[1] Overview
[2] When There Is a Duty to Act
[a] Status Relationship
[b] Contractual Obligation
[c] Omissions Following an Act
[i] Creation of a Risk
[ii] Voluntary Assistance
[B] Statutory Duty (Including “Bad Samaritan” Laws)
§ 9.08 OMISSIONS: MODEL PENAL CODE
§ 9.09 MEDICAL “OMISSIONS”: A SPECIAL PROBLEM
[A] Act or Omission?
[B] Analysis as an Omission
[C] The Barber Approach
[D] Reflections Regarding Barber
§ 9.10 SOCIAL HARM: GENERAL PRINCIPLES
[A] Overview
[B] Definition of “Social Harm”
[C] Finding the “Social Harm” Element in a Criminal Statute
[D] Dividing “Social Harm” Into Sub-Elements
[1] “Conduct” Elements (or “Conduct” Crimes)
[2] “Result” Elements (or “Result” Crimes)
[3] Attendant Circumstances
§ 9.11 SOCIAL HARM: CONSTITUTIONAL LIMITS
Chapter 10 MENS REA
§ 10.01 GENERAL PRINCIPLE
§ 10.02 DEFINITION OF “ MENS REA ”
[A] Ambiguity of the Term
[B] Broad Meaning: The “Culpability” Meaning of “ Mens Rea ”
[C] Narrow Meaning: The “Elemental” Meaning of “ Mens Rea ”
§ 10.03 RATIONALE OF THE MENS REA REQUIREMENT
[A] Utilitarian Arguments
[B] Retributive Arguments
§ 10.04 FREQUENTLY USED MENS REA TERMS
[A] “Intentionally”
[1] Definition
[2] “Motive” Distinguished
[3] “Transferred Intent”
[a] General Doctrine
[b] An Unnecessary and Potentially Misleading Doctrine
[c] Looking Past the Easy Cases
[B] “Knowingly” or “With Knowledge”
[C] “Willfully”
[D] “Negligence” and “Recklessness”
[1] Overview
[2] “Negligence”
[a] In General
[b] Distinguishing Civil from Criminal Negligence
[c] Should Negligence Be Punished?
[d] Who Really Is the “Reasonable Person”?: Initial Observations
[3] “Recklessness”
[E] “Malice”
§ 10.05 STATUTORY INTERPRETATION: WHAT ELEMENTS DOES A MENS REA TERM MODIFY?
§ 10.06 “SPECIFIC INTENT” AND “GENERAL INTENT”
§ 10.07 MODEL PENAL CODE
[A] Section 2.02: In General
[B] Culpability Terms
[1] “Purposely”
[2] “Knowingly”
[3] “Recklessly” and “Negligently”
[a] In General
[b] Nature of the “Reasonable Person”
[C] Principles of Statutory Interpretation
Chapter 11 STRICT LIABILITY
§ 11.01 GENERAL PRINCIPLES
[A] “Strict Liability”: Definition
[B] Presumption Against Strict Liability
[C] Public Welfare Offenses
[D] Non-Public-Welfare Offenses
§ 11.02 POLICY DEBATE REGARDING STRICT-LIABILITY OFFENSES
[A] Searching for a Justification for Strict Liability
[B] Alternatives to Strict Liability
§ 11.03 CONSTITUTIONALITY OF STRICT-LIABILITY OFFENSES
§ 11.04 MODEL PENAL CODE
Chapter 12 MISTAKES OF FACT
§ 12.01 PUTTING MISTAKE-OF-FACT IN CONTEXT
§ 12.02 WHY DOES A FACTUAL MISTAKE SOMETIMES EXCULPATE?
§ 12.03 COMMON LAW RULES
[A] General Approach
[B] Strict-Liability Offenses
[C] Specific-Intent Offenses
[D] General-Intent Offenses
[1] Ordinary Approach: Was the Mistake Reasonable?
[2] Another (Controversial and Increasingly Uncommon) Approach: Moral-Wrong Doctrine
[a] The Doctrine Is Explained
[b] Criticisms of the Doctrine
[3] Still Another Approach: Legal-Wrong Doctrine
[a] The Doctrine Is Explained
[b] Criticism of the Doctrine
[E] Regina v. Morgan : Common Law in Transition or an Aberration?
§ 12.04 MODEL PENAL CODE
[A] General Rule
[B] Exception to the Rule
Chapter 13 MISTAKES OF LAW
§ 13.01 GENERAL PRINCIPLES
[A] General Rule
[B] Rationale of the Rule
[1] Certainty of the Law
[2] Avoiding Subjectivity in the Law
[3] Deterring Fraud
[4] Encouraging Legal Knowledge
§ 13.02 WHEN MISTAKE-OF-LAW IS A DEFENSE: EXCEPTIONS TO THE GENERAL RULE
[A] Putting the Exceptions in Context
[B] Reasonable-Reliance Doctrine (Entrapment by Estoppel)
[1] No Defense: Reliance on One’s Own Interpretation of the Law
[2] No Defense: Advice of Private Counsel
[3] Official Interpretation of the Law
[C] Fair Notice and the Lambert Principle
[D] Ignorance or Mistake That Negates Mens ReaSee generally Sharon L. Davies, The Jurisprudence of Willfulness: An Evolving Theory of Excusable Ignorance, 48 Duke L.J. 341 (1998).
[1] General Approach
[2] Specific-Intent Offenses
[3] General-Intent Offenses
[4] Strict-Liability Offenses
§ 13.03 MODEL PENAL CODE
[A] General Rule
[B] Exceptions to the General Rule
[1] Reasonable-Reliance Doctrine
[2] Fair Notice
[3] Ignorance or Mistake That Negates Mens Rea
Chapter 14 CAUSATION
§ 14.01 GENERAL PRINCIPLES
[A] “Causation”: An Element of Criminal Responsibility
[B] “Causation”: Its Role in Criminal Law Theory
[C] “Causation”: Criminal Law versus Tort Law
§ 14.02 ACTUAL CAUSE (OR “FACTUAL CAUSE”)
[A] “But-For” (“ Sine Qua Non ”) Test
[B] “Causes” versus “Conditions”
[C] Special “Actual Cause” Problems
[1] Confusing “Causation” With “ Mens Rea ”
[a] Causation Without Mens Rea
[b] Mens Rea Without Causation
[2] Multiple Actual Causes
[a] Accelerating a Result
[b] Concurrent Sufficient Causes
[3] Obstructed Cause
§ 14.03 PROXIMATE CAUSE (OR “LEGAL CAUSE”)
[A] Putting “Proximate Cause” in Context
[B] Direct Cause
[C] Intervening Causes
[1] Overview
[2] Factor 1: De Minimis Contribution to the Social Harm
[3] Factor 2: Foreseeability of the Intervening Cause
[a] In General
[b] Responsive (Dependent) Intervening Causes
[c] Coincidental (Independent) Intervening Causes
[4] Factor 3: The Defendant’s Mens Mea (Intended Consequences Doctrine)
[5] Factor 4: Dangerous Forces that Come to Rest (Apparent Safety Doctrine)
[6] Factor 5: Free, Deliberate, Informed Human Intervention
[7] Factor 6: Omissions
§ 14.04 MODEL PENAL CODE
[A] Actual Cause
[B] Proximate Cause (Actually, Culpability)
Chapter 15 CONCURRENCE OF ELEMENTS
§ 15.01 GENERAL PRINCIPLES
§ 15.02 TEMPORAL CONCURRENCE
[A] Mens Rea Preceding Actus Reus
[B] Actus Reus Preceding Mens Rea
§ 15.03 MOTIVATIONAL CONCURRENCE
§ 15.04 SPECIAL PROBLEM: TEMPORALLY DIVISIBLE ACTS AND/OR OMISSIONS
Chapter 16 DEFENSES: AN OVERVIEW
§ 16.01 DEFENSES: IN CONTEXT
§ 16.02 FAILURE-OF-PROOF DEFENSES
§ 16.03 JUSTIFICATION DEFENSES
§ 16.04 EXCUSE DEFENSES
§ 16.05 SPECIALIZED DEFENSES (“OFFENSE MODIFICATIONS”)
§ 16.06 EXTRINSIC DEFENSES (“NONEXCULPATORY DEFENSES”)
Chapter 17 JUSTIFICATIONS AND EXCUSES
§ 17.01 HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
§ 17.02 UNDERLYING THEORIES OF “JUSTIFICATION”
[A] Searching for an Explanatory Theory
[B] “Public Benefit” Theory
[C] “Moral Forfeiture” Theory
[D] “Moral Rights” Theory
[E] “Superior Interest” (or “Lesser Harm”) Theory
§ 17.03 UNDERLYING THEORIES OF “EXCUSE”
[A] Searching for an Explanatory Theory
[B] Deterrence Theory
[C] Causation Theory
[D] Character Theory
[E] “Free Choice” (or Personhood) Theory
§ 17.04 JUSTIFICATION DEFENSES AND MISTAKE-OF-FACT CLAIMS
[A] General Rule
[B] Criticisms of the General Rule
[C] Defense of the General Rule
§ 17.05 JUSTIFICATION V. EXCUSE: WHY DOES IT MATTER?
[A] In General
[B] Sending Clear Moral Messages
[C] Providing Theoretical Consistency in the Criminal Law
[D] Accomplice Liability
[E] Third Party Conduct
[F] Retroactivity
[G] Burden of Proof
Chapter 18 SELF-DEFENSE
§ 18.01 GENERAL PRINCIPLES
[A] Overview
[B] Elements of the Defense
[C] The Necessity Component
[D] The Proportionality Component
[E] The “Reasonable Belief” Component
§ 18.02 DEADLY FORCE: CLARIFICATION OF THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES
[A] “Deadly Force”: Definition
[B] The “Non-Aggressor” Limitation
[1] Definition of “Aggressor”
[2] Removing the Status of “Aggressor”
[a] Deadly Aggressor
[b] Nondeadly Aggressor
[C] Necessity Requirement: The Special Issue of Retreat
[1] Explanation of the Issue
[2] Contrasting Approaches
[3] The “Castle” Exception to the Retreat Rule
[D] Nature of the Threat: “Imminent, Unlawful Deadly Force”
[1] “Imminent”
[2] “Unlawful Force”
§ 18.03 DEADLY FORCE: “IMPERFECT” SELF-DEFENSE CLAIMS
§ 18.04 DEADLY FORCE IN SELF-PROTECTION: RATIONALE FOR THE DEFENSE
[A] Self-Defense as an Excuse
[B] Self-Defense as a Justification
[1] Utilitarian Explanations
[2] Non-Utilitarian Explanations
§ 18.05 SELF-DEFENSE: SPECIAL ISSUES
[A] The Reasonable-Belief Standard: More Reflections About the “Reasonable Person”
[1] The Issue
[2] The Law
[B] “Battered Woman Syndrome”
[1] Issue Overview
[2] Jury Instructions on Self-Defense
[3] Evidentiary Issues
[a] Prior Abuse by the Decedent
[b] Expert Testimony Regarding Battered Woman Syndrome
[4] Nonconfrontational Battered Woman Self-Defense?: Some Reflections
[C] Risk to Innocent Bystanders
[D] Resisting an Unlawful Arrest
§ 18.06 MODEL PENAL CODE
[A] General Rules
[1] Force, in General
[a] Permissible Use
[b] Impermissible Use: Resisting an Unlawful Arrest
[2] Deadly Force, in General
[a] “Deadly Force”: Definition
[b] Permissible Use
[c] Impermissible Use
[i] Deadly Force by Aggressors
[ii] Retreat
[iii] Summarizing the MPC Deadly-Force Rules
[B] Mistake-of-Fact Claims and Model Penal Code Justification Defenses
[C] Justification Defenses and Risks to Innocent Bystanders
Chapter 19 DEFENSE OF OTHERS
§ 19.01 GENERAL RULE
§ 19.02 MODEL PENAL CODE
Chapter 20 DEFENSE OF PROPERTY AND HABITATION
§ 20.01 PROPERTY AND HABITATION: COMPARISON AND CONTRAST
§ 20.02 DEFENSE OF PROPERTY
[A] General Rule
[B] Clarification of the Rule
[1] Possession versus Title to Property
[2] Necessity for the Use of Force
[3] Deadly Force
[4] Threat to Use Deadly Force
[5] Claim of Right
[6] Recapture of Property
§ 20.03 DEFENSE OF HABITATION
[A] Rationale of the Defense
[B] Rules Regarding Use of Deadly Force
[1] Early Common Law Rule
[2] “Middle” Approach
[3] “Narrow” Approach
[C] Looking at the Rules in Greater Depth
[1] May the Occupant Use Force After the Intruder Has Entered?
[2] Are the Differences in the Habitation Rules Significant?
[3] Relationship of the Defense to Other Defenses
[a] Self-Defense and Defense-of-Others
[b] Law Enforcement Defenses
§ 20.04 SPRING GUNS
[A] The Issue
[B] Common Law Rule
§ 20.05 MODEL PENAL CODE
[A] Permissible Use of Nondeadly Force
[1] Force to Protect Property
[2] Force to Recapture Property
[B] Impermissible Use of Nondeadly Force
[C] Use of Deadly Force
[1] In General
[a] Dispossession of a Dwelling
[b] Prevention of Serious Property Crimes
[2] Spring Guns
Chapter 21 LAW ENFORCEMENT
§ 21.01 WHAT ARE THE “LAW ENFORCEMENT” DEFENSES?
§ 21.02 RESTRAINT ON LIBERTY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT: “PUBLIC AUTHORITY” DEFENSE
[A] By Police Officers
[1] Common Law
[2] Constitutional Limits on the Common Law
[B] By Private Persons
§ 21.03 FORCE USED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT: COMMON AND STATUTORY LAW
[A] Nondeadly Force
[B] Deadly Force
[1] Crime Prevention
[a] Broad Defense: Minority Rule
[b] Narrow Defense: Majority Rule
[2] Effectuation of an Arrest
[a] By Police Officers
[i] Early Common Law Rule
[ii] Modification of the Rule
[b] By Private Persons
§ 21.04 FORCE USED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT: CONSTITUTIONAL LIMITS
[A] Background: The Controversy
[B] Constitutional Law
§ 21.05 MODEL PENAL CODE
[A] Authority to Arrest
[B] Crime Prevention
[1] Use of Force, In General
[2] Use of Deadly Force
[C] Effectuation of an Arrest
[1] Use of Force, In General
[2] Use of Deadly Force
Chapter 22 NECESSITY
§ 22.01 BASIC NATURE OF THE DEFENSE
§ 22.02 GENERAL RULES
§ 22.03 CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE
§ 22.04 “NECESSITY” AS A DEFENSE TO HOMICIDE
[A] The Issue
[B] Regina v. Dudley and Stephens
[C] What Does Dudley and Stephens Really Say?
[D] How Should Dudley and Stephens Have Been Decided?
§ 22.05 MODEL PENAL CODE
Chapter 23 DURESS
§ 23.01 GENERAL PRINCIPLES
[A] Overview
[B] Elements of the Defense
[C] Duress: Justification or Excuse?
§ 23.02 RATIONALE OF THE DEFENSE (AS AN EXCUSE)
[A] Utilitarian Arguments
[B] Retributive Arguments
§ 23.03 DISTINGUISHING DURESS FROM NECESSITY
§ 23.04 DURESS AS A DEFENSE TO HOMICIDE
[A] General Rule
[B] Is the No-Defense Rule Sensible?
§ 23.05 ESCAPE FROM INTOLERABLE PRISON CONDITIONS
[A] The Issue
[B] The Law
[C] Necessity versus Duress
[1] The Conceptual Problem
[2] Why the Nature of the Defense Is Significant
[a] The Message of Acquittal
[b] Ability to Obtain Acquittal
[c] Liability of Those Who Assist in the Escape
[d] Liability of Those Who Resist the Escape
[3] Concluding Comments
§ 23.06 SITUATIONAL DURESS: BRIEF OBSERVATIONS
[A] The Simplest Case: Necessity as an Excuse
[B] Going Beyond Natural Threats
§ 23.07 BATTERED WOMEN UNDER DURESS
§ 23.08 MODEL PENAL CODE
[A] General Rule
[B] Comparison to the Common Law
[1] In General
[2] Escape from Intolerable Prison Conditions
[3] “Situational Duress”
[4] Battered Women and the Nature of the “Person of Reasonable Firmness”
Chapter 24 INTOXICATION
§ 24.01 INTOXICATION AND THE CRIMINAL LAW: AN OVERVIEW
[A] “Intoxication”: Definition
[B] Intoxication Law in Its Social and Historical Context
[C] Intoxication Cases: Issues to Consider
[D] Intoxication Claims: Relationship to Other Defenses
§ 24.02 VOLUNTARY INTOXICATION: GENERAL PRINCIPLES
[A] Definition of “Voluntary Intoxication”
[1] In General
[2] Alcoholism, Drug Addiction, and “Voluntary Intoxication”
[B] General Rules
[1] No Excuse
[2] When Voluntary Intoxication May Be Exculpatory
§ 24.03 VOLUNTARY INTOXICATION: MENS REA
[A] In General
[B] Traditional Common Law Rule
[1] Overview
[2] General-Intent Offenses
[3] Specific-Intent Offenses
[4] Criticism of the Traditional Approach
[a] Why Draw a Distinction?
[b] Should the Defense Be Abolished?
[C] Special Problem: Intoxication and Homicide
§ 24.04 VOLUNTARY INTOXICATION: VOLUNTARY ACT
§ 24.05 VOLUNTARY INTOXICATION: INSANITY
[A] “Temporary” Insanity
[B] “Fixed” Insanity
§ 24.06 INVOLUNTARY INTOXICATION
[A] Definition
[B] General Rule
§ 24.07 MODEL PENAL CODE
[A] General Rule
[B] Negation of an Element of an Offense
[1] Mental State
[a] In General
[b] Exception to the Rule
[2] Voluntary Act
[C] Intoxication as an Affirmative Defense
Chapter 25 INSANITY
§ 25.01 INSANITY: AN OVERVIEW
§ 25.02 INSANITY DEFENSE: PROCEDURAL CONTEXT
[A] Competency to Stand Trial
[1] General Rule
[2] Procedures for Determining Competency
[3] Effect of an Incompetency Finding
[B] Pre-Trial Assertion of the Insanity Plea
[C] Jury Verdicts
[D] Bifurcated Trial
[E] Burden of Proof
§ 25.03 RATIONALE OF THE INSANITY DEFENSE
[A] Utilitarian Theory
[B] Retributive Theory
§ 25.04 DEFINITIONS OF “INSANITY”
[A] Putting the Insanity Tests in Historical and Legal Context
[B] “Mental Disease or Defect”
[1] In General
[2] Medical Definition of “Mental Disorder”
[3] Legal Definition of “Mental Disease or Defect”
[C] The Tests
[1] M’Naghten Test
[a] Rule
[b] Criticisms of the Rule
[2] “Irresistible Impulse” Test
[a] Rule
[b] Criticisms of the Rule
[3] American Law Institute (Model Penal Code) Test
[a] Rule
[b] Criticisms of the Rule
[4] The Product Test
[a] Rule
[b] Criticisms of the Rule
[5] Federal Test
§ 25.05 EFFECT OF AN INSANITY ACQUITTAL
[A] Mental Illness Commitment Procedures
[1] Automatic Commitment
[2] Discretionary Commitment
[B] Release After Commitment for Mental Illness
[1] Criteria for Release
[2] Length of Confinement
[3] Release Procedures
[C] A Different Form of Commitment: Sexual Predator Laws
§ 25.06 ABOLITION OF THE INSANITY DEFENSE
[A] Abolitionist Arguments
[1] Abuse
[2] Counter-Deterrence
[3] Conflict of Perspectives
[4] “Mental Illness”: Merely a Deviation from a Cultural Norm
[5] Equity
[B] Legislative Efforts to Abolish the Defense
§ 25.07 “GUILTY BUT MENTALLY ILL”
Chapter 26 DIMINISHED CAPACITY
§ 26.01 “DIMINISHED CAPACITY”: A TERM OF CONFUSION
§ 26.02 DIMINISHED CAPACITY: MENS REA DEFENSE
[A] Nature of the Defense
[B] Law
[1] Overview
[2] Defense-to-All-Crimes (Model Penal Code) Approach
[3] Limited-Use Approach
[4] No-Defense Approach
§ 26.03 DIMINISHED CAPACITY: “PARTIAL RESPONSIBILITY” DEFENSE
[A] Rule
[1] In General
[2] The Largely Discredited California Approach
[3] The Model Penal Code Approach
[B] Controversy Regarding the Defense
Chapter 27 ATTEMPT
§ 27.01 CRIMINAL ATTEMPTS: AN OVERVIEW TO INCHOATE CONDUCT
§ 27.02 GENERAL PRINCIPLES
[A] Historical Background
[B] Definition of “Attempt”
[C] Punishment of Attempts
[D] Relationship of an Attempt to the Target Offense
[E] “Assault”: “Attempt” in Different Clothing
[1] “Assault” versus “Attempt”
[2] Attempted Assault
[F] Inchoate Crimes in Disguise
§ 27.03 “SUBJECTIVISM” AND “OBJECTIVISM”
§ 27.04 PUNISHING ATTEMPTS: WHY, AND HOW MUCH?
[A] Rationale for Punishing Attempts
[1] Utilitarian Analysis
[2] Retributive Analysis
[B] Less or Equal Punishment?
[1] Overview to the Issue
[2] Utilitarian Analysis
[3] Retributive Analysis
§ 27.05 MENS REA OF CRIMINAL ATTEMPTS
[A] General Rule
[B] “Result” Crimes
[1] In General
[2] Rationale of Intent Requirement: Does It Make Sense?
[3] Special Homicide Problems
[a] Attempted Felony-Murder
[b] Attempted Manslaughter
[C] “Conduct” Crimes
[D] Attendant Circumstances
§ 27.06 ACTUS REUS OF CRIMINAL ATTEMPTS
[A] Policy Context
[B] The Tests
[1] General Observations
[2] “Last Act” Test
[3] “Physical Proximity” Test
[4] “Dangerous Proximity” Test
[5] “Indispensable Element” Test
[6] “Probable Desistance” Test
[7] “Unequivocality” Test
§ 27.07 DEFENSE: IMPOSSIBILITY
[A] The Issue
[B] General Rule
[C] Factual Impossibility
[1] In General
[2] “Inherent” Factual Impossibility
[D] Legal Impossibility
[1] Introductory Comments
[2] Pure Legal Impossibility
[3] Hybrid Legal Impossibility
[a] In General
[b] Modern Approach: Abolition of the Defense
§ 27.08 DEFENSE: ABANDONMENT
§ 27.09 MODEL PENAL CODE
[A] Introductory Comments
[B] Criminal Attempt: In General
[1] Elements of the Offense
[2] Explaining Subsection (1)
[C] Mens Rea
[D] Actus Reus
[1] In General
[2] Attempt to Aid
[E] Defenses
[1] Impossibility
[a] Hybrid Legal Impossibility
[b] Pure Legal Impossibility
[2] Renunciation (Abandonment)
[F] Grading of Criminal Attempts and Other Inchoate Crimes
[1] In General
[2] Special Mitigation
Chapter 28 SOLICITATION
§ 28.01 GENERAL PRINCIPLES
[A] Definition
[1] In General
[2] Mens Rea
[3] Actus Reus
[B] Relationship of the Solicitor to the Solicited Party
[1] In General
[2] Use of an Innocent Instrumentality
[C] Relationship of a Solicitation to the Target Offense
[D] Policy Considerations
§ 28.02 COMPARISON OF SOLICITATION TO OTHER INCHOATE OFFENSES
[A] Conspiracy
[B] Criminal Attempt
§ 28.03 MODEL PENAL CODE
[A] In General
[B] Defense: Renunciation
Chapter 29 CONSPIRACY
§ 29.01 CONSPIRACY: IN GENERAL
[A] Common Law
[B] Model Penal Code
§ 29.02 PUNISHING CONSPIRACIES: WHY?
[A] “Conspiracy” as an Inchoate Offense: Preventive Law Enforcement
[B] Special Dangers of Group Criminality
§ 29.03 PUNISHING CONSPIRACIES: HOW MUCH?
[A] In General
[1] Common Law and Non-Model Penal Code Statutes
[2] Model Penal Code
[B] Punishment When the Target Offense is Committed
[1] Common Law
[2] Model Penal Code
§ 29.04 CONSPIRACY: THE AGREEMENT
[A] In General
[B] Distinguishing the Agreement from the Group That Agrees
[C] Object of the Agreement
[D] Overt Act
[E] Model Penal Code
[1] In General
[2] Object of the Agreement
[3] Overt Act
§ 29.05 CONSPIRACY: MENS REA
[A] In General
[B] Special Issues
[1] “Purpose” versus “Knowledge”: The Meaning of “Intent”
[2] Mens Rea Regarding Attendant Circumstances
[3] Corrupt-Motive Doctrine
[C] Model Penal Code
§ 29.06 “PLURALITY” REQUIREMENT
[A] Common Law
[B] Model Penal Code
§ 29.07 PARTIES TO A CONSPIRACY
[A] The Issue
[1] Kotteakos v. United States
[2] Blumenthal v. United States
[3] United States v. Peoni
[4] United States v. Bruno
[B] Why the Issue Matters
[1] Liability for Conspiracy
[2] Liability of Parties for Substantive Offenses
[3] Use of Hearsay Evidence
[4] Joint Trial
[5] Overt-Act Requirement
[6] Venue
[C] Structure of Conspiracies
[1] Wheel Conspiracies
[2] Chain Conspiracies
[3] Chain-Wheel Conspiracies
[D] Common Law Analysis
[1] In General
[2] Wheel Conspiracies
[3] Chain Conspiracies
[4] Chain-Wheel Conspiracies
[E] Model Penal Code
[1] Relevant Provisions
[2] Example of the Code Approach: United States v. Bruno
§ 29.08 OBJECTIVES OF A CONSPIRACY
[A] The Issue
[B] Common Law Analysis
[C] Model Penal Code
§ 29.09 DEFENSES
[A] Impossibility
[1] Common Law
[2] Model Penal Code
[B] Abandonment
[1] Common Law
[2] Model Penal Code
[C] Wharton’s Rule
[1] Common Law
[a] In General
[b] Exceptions to the Rule
[2] Model Penal Code
[D] Legislative-Exemption Rule
[1] Common Law
[2] Model Penal Code
Chapter 30 LIABILITY FOR THE ACTS OF OTHERS: COMPLICITY
§ 30.01 COMPLICITY: OVERVIEW TO ACCOMPLICE AND CONSPIRATORIAL LIABILITY
§ 30.02 ACCOMPLICE LIABILITY: GENERAL PRINCIPLES
[A] General Rules
[1] Definition of an “Accomplice”
[2] Criminal Responsibility of an Accomplice: Derivative Liability
[B] Theoretical Foundations of Accomplice Liability
§ 30.03 ACCOMPLICE LIABILITY: COMMON LAW TERMINOLOGY
[A] Parties to a Felony
[1] General Comments
[2] Principal in the First Degree
[a] In General
[b] Innocent-Instrumentality Rule
[i] In General
[ii] Difficulties in Application of the Rule
[3] Principal in the Second Degree
[4] Accessory Before the Fact
[5] Accessory After the Fact
[B] Principals versus Accessories: Procedural Significance
[1] General Comments
[2] Jurisdiction
[3] Rules of Pleading
[4] Timing of the Trial of Accessories
[5] Effect of the Acquittal of a Principal
[6] Degree of Guilt of the Parties
§ 30.04 ACCOMPLICE LIABILITY: ASSISTANCE
[A] Types of Assistance
[1] In General
[2] Physical Conduct
[3] Psychological Influence
[4] Assistance by Omission
[B] Amount of Assistance Required
[1] In General
[2] Accomplice Liability and the Doctrine of Causation
[a] The Law
[b] Criticism of the Law
§ 30.05 ACCOMPLICE LIABILITY: MENS REA
[A] In General
[B] Significant Mens Rea Issues
[1] The Feigning Accomplice
[2] “Purpose” versus “Knowledge”: The Meaning of “Intent”
[3] Liability for Crimes of Recklessness and Negligence
[4] Attendant Circumstances
[5] Natural-and-Probable-Consequences Doctrine
§ 30.06 LIABILITY OF THE SECONDARY PARTY IN RELATION TO THE PRIMARY PARTY
[A] General Principles
[B] Liability When the Primary Party Is Acquitted
[1] “Primary Party” as an Innocent Instrumentality
[2] Acquittal on the Basis of a Defense
[a] Justification Defenses
[b] Excuse Defenses
[3] Acquittal on the Basis of Lack of Mens Rea
[a] In General
[b] Special Problem: The Feigning Primary Party
[C] Liability of an Accomplice When the Primary Party Is Convicted
§ 30.07 LIMITS TO ACCOMPLICE LIABILITY
[A] Legislative-Exemption Rule
[B] Abandonment
§ 30.08 CONSPIRATORIAL LIABILITY: THE PINKERTON DOCTRINE
[A] “Accomplice” versus “Conspiratorial” Liability
[B] Rule of Conspiratorial Liability
[C] Comparison of Liability
§ 30.09 MODEL PENAL CODE
[A] Forms of Liability
[1] In General
[2] Accountability Through an Innocent Instrumentality
[3] Miscellaneous Accountability
[4] Accomplice Accountability
[5] Rejection of Conspiratorial Liability
[B] Nature of an “Accomplice”
[1] Conduct
[a] In General
[b] Accomplice Liability by Solicitation
[c] Accomplice Liability by Aiding
[d] Accomplice Liability by Agreeing to Aid
[e] Accomplice Liability by Attempting to Aid
[i] In General
[ii] The Relationship of § 2.06 (Complicity) to § 5.01 (Criminal Attempt)
[f] Accomplice Liability by Omission
[2] Mental State
[a] In General
[b] Liability for Crimes of Recklessness and Negligence
[c] Attendant Circumstances
[d] Natural-and-Probable-Consequences Doctrine
[C] Liability of the Accomplice in Relation to the Perpetrator
[D] Limits to Accomplice Liability
Chapter 31 CRIMINAL HOMICIDE
§ 31.01 HOMICIDE
[A] Definition of “Homicide”
[B] Definition of “Human Being”
[1] The Beginning of Human Life
[2] The End of Human Life
[C] Year-and-a-Day Rule
§ 31.02 CRIMINAL HOMICIDE: GENERAL PRINCIPLES
[A] “Murder” and “Manslaughter”: Common Law Definitions
[B] Murder: Definition of “Malice Aforethought”
[1] “Aforethought”
[2] “Malice”
[C] Manslaughter: Types of “Unlawful Killings”
[D] Statutory Reformulation of Criminal Homicide Law
[1] In General
[2] The Division of Murder Into Degrees (“Pennsylvania Model”)
§ 31.03 MURDER: INTENT TO KILL
[A] In General
[B] Proving the Intent to Kill
[1] In General
[a] Natural-and-Probable-Consequences Rule
[b] Deadly-Weapon Rule
[2] Constitutional Limitation
[C] “Wilful, Deliberate, Premeditated” Killings
[1] Overview of the Issue
[2] “Deliberate”
[3] “Premeditated”
§ 31.04 MURDER: INTENT TO INFLICT GRIEVOUS BODILY INJURY
§ 31.05 MURDER: EXTREME RECKLESSNESS (“DEPRAVED HEART” MURDER)
[A] In General
[1] Terminology
[2] Facts Supporting a Finding of Extreme Recklessness
[B] Distinguishing Murder from Manslaughter
§ 31.06 MURDER: FELONY-MURDER RULE
[A] The Rule
[B] Rationale of the Rule
[1] Initial Observations
[2] Deterrence
[3] Reaffirming the Sanctity of Human Life
[4] Transferred Intent
[5] Easing the Prosecutor’s Burden of Proof
[C] Limits on the Rule
[1] Inherently-Dangerous-Felony Limitation
[2] Independent Felony (or Merger) Limitation
[3] The Res Gestae Requirement
[a] Overview
[b] Time and Distance Requirements
[c] Causation Requirement
[4] Killing by a Non-Felon
[a] The Issue
[b] The “Agency” Approach
[c] The “Proximate Causation” Approach
[i] In General
[ii] Limited Version
[d] Distinguishing Felony-Murder from Other Theories (The “Provocative Act” Doctrine)
§ 31.07 MANSLAUGHTER: PROVOCATION (“SUDDEN HEAT OF PASSION”)
[A] In General
[B] Elements of the Defense
[1] State of Passion
[2] Adequate Provocation
[a] Early Common Law Categories
[b] Modern Law
[i] In General
[ii] The Nature of the “Reasonable Person”
[3] Cooling Off Time
[4] Causal Connection
[C] Rationale of the Defense
[1] Partial Justification or Partial Excuse?: Initial Inquiry
[2] Justification or Excuse: A Deeper Look
[a] The Argument for Provocation as a Partial Justification
[b] The Argument for Provocation as a Partial Excuse
[3] Criticism of the Provocation Doctrine
§ 31.08 MANSLAUGHTER: CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE
§ 31.09 MANSLAUGHTER: UNLAWFUL-ACT (MISDEMEANOR-MANSLAUGHTER) DOCTRINE
§ 31.10 CRIMINAL HOMICIDE: MODEL PENAL CODE
[A] In General
[B] Murder
[C] Manslaughter
[1] In General
[2] Reckless Homicide
[3] Extreme Mental or Emotional Disturbance
[a] In General
[b] Comparison of Model Code to Common Law “Heat-of-Passion”
[D] Negligent Homicide
Chapter 32 THEFT
§ 32.01 THEFT: HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
§ 32.02 LARCENY: GENERAL PRINCIPLES
[A] Definition
[B] Grading of the Offense
§ 32.03 LARCENY: TRESPASS
§ 32.04 LARCENY: TAKING (CAPTION)
[A] The Significance of “Possession”
[B] “Custody” versus “Possession”
[1] In General
[2] Temporary and Limited Use of Property
[3] Employers and Employees
[a] Employer to Employee
[b] Third Person to the Employee for the Employer
[4] Bailors and Bailees
[5] Fraud
§ 32.05 LARCENY: CARRYING AWAY (ASPORTATION)
§ 32.06 LARCENY: PERSONAL PROPERTY OF ANOTHER
[A] Personal Property
[1] Land and Attachments Thereto
[2] Animals
[3] Stolen Property and Contraband
[4] Intangible Personal Property
[B] Of Another
§ 32.07 LARCENY: INTENT TO STEAL ( ANIMUS FURANDI )
[A] Nature of the Felonious Intent
[1] In General
[2] Recklessly Depriving Another of Property Permanently
[B] Concurrence of Mens Rea and Actus Reus
[1] In General
[2] Continuing-Trespass Doctrine
[C] Claim of Right
[1] In General
[2] Forced Sale
§ 32.08 LARCENY: LOST AND MISLAID PROPERTY
§ 32.09 EMBEZZLEMENT
[A] Historical Background
[B] Elements of the Offense
[C] Distinguishing Larceny from Embezzlement
§ 32.10 FALSE PRETENSES
[A] In General
[B] Distinguishing False Pretenses from Larceny and Embezzlement
[C] Elements of the Offense
[1] False Representation
[2] Existing Fact
[a] Fact versus Opinion
[b] Fact versus Promise of Future Conduct
[3] Mens Rea
§ 32.11 CONSOLIDATION OF THEFT OFFENSES
Chapter 33 RAPE
§ 33.01 RAPE: GENERAL PRINCIPLES
[A] Definition: Common Law
[B] Statutes: Traditional and Reform
[C] Grading of the Offense
§ 33.02 STATISTICS REGARDING RAPE
§ 33.03 SOCIAL ATTITUDES REGARDING RAPE
[A] Social Harm of Rape
[1] The Original Perspective
[2] Modern Perspective
[B] Perceptions of the Seriousness of the Offense
[1] In General
[2] Blaming the Victim
[3] Victim’s Relationship to Rapist
§ 33.04 RAPE: ACTUS REUS
[A] In General
[B] Forcible Rape
[1] Traditional Law
[a] In General
[b] Lack of Consent
[c] Force and Resistance
[d] Fear of Force versus Threat of Force
[e] Cases Applying the Traditional Doctrine
[2] The Law in Transition
[a] Resistance Requirement
[b] “Force”: Changing Its Definition (or Abolishing the Requirement)
[C] Fraud
§ 33.05 RAPE: MENS REA
§ 33.06 MARITAL IMMUNITY RULE
[A] The Immunity and Its Rationales
[1] Rule
[2] Rationales
[a] Consent/Property Rationale
[b] Protection of the Marriage
[c] Protection of the Husband in Divorce Proceedings
[d] Less Serious Harm
[B] Breakdown of the Rule
§ 33.07 PROVING RAPE AT TRIAL
[A] Corroboration Rule and Cautionary Jury Instructions
[B] Rape-Shield Statutes
§ 33.08 MODEL PENAL CODE
[A] Sex Offenses, In General
[B] Rape
[1] In General
[2] Comparison to Common Law
[C] Gross Sexual Imposition
[D] Proving a Sexual Offense
TABLE OF CASES
TABLE OF CASES
TABLE OF REFERENCES TO THE MODEL PENAL CODE
INDEX
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