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ATTEMPT CommonLaw ModelPenalCode
Elements/Requirements Mostjurisdictions:Personis
guiltyofcriminalattemptwhen,
withintenttocommitacrime,
thepersonengagesinconduct
(whichconstitutesasubstantial
step)towardcommissionof
thatcrime,whetherornothis
intentionisaccomplished
MensRea:(1)intentionally
committheactsthatconstitute
theactusreusofanattempt
(intentionallyperformactsthat
bringherinproximityto
commissionofthesubstantitve
offense);and(2)mustperform
theseactswiththespecific
intentionofcommittingthe
targetcrime(attemptisa
specific-intentoffense,evenif
thetargetoffenseisageneral-
intentcrime)
AttendantCircumstances:
uncertain(somefavor
recklessnesswithregardto
attendantcircumstanceis
enough,otherslooktoculpabilityrequiredby
underlyingoffense(ifstrictliability,thennomensrea
regardingattendant
circumstancesisrequired))
ActusReus:varioustests(pgs.
398-402);someovertactis
required
Elements:(1)purposeto
committhetargetoffense;and
(2)conductconstitutinga
substantialsteptowardthe
commissionofthetarget
offense
MensRea:notguiltyunlessit
washerpurpose(herconscious
objective)toengageinthe
conductortocausetheresult
thatwouldconstitutethe
substantiveoffense
AttendantCircumstances:
sufficientthattheactor
possessedthedegreeof
culpabilityrequiredtocommit
thetargetoffense(ifstrictliability,thennomensrea
regardingattendantcircumstancesisrequired)
ActusReus:actormusthave
doneoromittedtodo
somethingthatconstitutesa
substantialstepinthecourseof
conductplannedtoculminate
inthecommissionofthe
crime.
Notes Punishment:atcommonlaw
anattemptwasamisdemeanor;
nowanattempttocommita
felonyisgradedafelony(but
typicallytreatedasalessor
offensethanthesubstantive
crime)
Mergeswithtargetoffenseif
thetargetoffenseiscompleted
Punishment:crimesof
attempt,solicitation,and
conspiracyareoffensesofthe
samegradeanddegreeasthe
offenseattempted,solicited,or
thatistheobjectofthe
conspiracy(oneexception:an
attempt(orsolicitationor
conspiracy)tocommitafelony
ofthefirstdegreeconstitutesa
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Tests:LastActTest;Physical
ProximityTest;Dangerous
ProximityTest;Indispensable
ElementTest;ProbableDesistanceTest;
UnequivocalityTest
AttempttoAid:cannot
attempttoaid(aidmust
actuallyhavebeenused/useful)
(onemayaidinanattempt,and
therebybeconvictedofthe
attemptasanaccompliceso
longastheaidwasuseful)
felonyoftheseconddegree)
AttempttoAid:apersonmay
beconvictedofacriminal
attempt,althoughacrimewas
neithercommittednor
attemptedbyanother,if(1)the
purposeofherconductistoaid
anotherinthecommissionof
theoffense;and(2)such
assistancewouldhavemadeher
anaccompliceinthecommissionofthecrimeifthe
offensehadbeencommittedorattempted
Defenses FactualImpossibilitynota
defense
InherentFactual
Impossibilitymaybea
defense
LegalImpossibilityisa
defense
HybridLegalImpossibilityabolishedinmoststates
Abandonmentnota
commonlawdefense(many
courtsstilldonotrecognizethe
defense).Injurisdictionswhere
itisrecognized,itappliesonlyif
thedefendantvoluntarilyand
completelyrenouncesher
criminalpurpose(notcomplete
ifmerelypostponesthe
criminalendeavortillabetter
opportunitypresentsitselfandcannotbeinvokedoncelastact
necessarytocommitthe
offensehasbeenperformedor
seriousharmtothevictimhas
alreadybeencaused).
FactualImpossibilitynota
defense
PureLegalImpossibilityis
adefense(resultintendedor
desiredmustconstituteacrime
HybridLegalImpossibilityabolishedinMPC
Renunciation/
AbandonmentApersonis
notguiltyofanattemptif:(1)
sheabandonshereffortto
committhecrimeorpreventsit
frombeingcommitted;and(2)
herconductmanifestsa
completeandvoluntary
renunciationofhercriminal
purpose
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CONSPIRACY CommonLaw ModelPenalCode
Elements/Requirements Anagreementbetweentwoor
morepersonstocommita
criminalactorseriesof
criminalacts,ortoaccomplish
alegalactbyunlawfulmeans(todoeitheranunlawfulactor
alawfulactbycriminalor
unlawfulmeans)
(formedthemomenttwoor
morepersonsagreethatoneof
themwilllatercommitan
unlawfulact)
OvertAct:atcommonlaw,no
conductinfurtheranceofthe
conspiracyisrequired;in
overtactjurisdictions,an
overtactbyanypartytoa
conspiracyinfurtherancemay
bestatutorilyrequired,butthe
actmaybetrivialandwhollypreparatorytothecommission
ofthetargetoffenses,andis
sufficienttoprosecuteevery
memberoftheconspiracy,
includingthosethatjoinedin
theagreementaftertheactwas
committed)
MensRea:criminalconspiracy
doesnotoccurunlesstwoor
morepersons:(1)intendto
agreeand(2)intendthatthe
objectoftheiragreementbeachieved(commonlaw
conspiracyisaspecific-intent
offense)
Apersonisguiltyofconspiracy
withanotherpersonorpersons
tocommitacrimeifwiththe
purposeofpromotingor
facilitatingitscommissionhe:(a) agreeswithsuchother
personorpersonsthat
theyoroneormoreof
themwillengagein
conductthat
constitutessuchcrime
oranattemptor
solicitationtocommit
suchcrime;or
(b) agreestoaidsuchotherpersonor
personsinthe
planningorcommissionofsuch
crimeoranattemptor
solicitationtocommit
suchcrime
OvertAct:MPCrequiresan
overtactinfurtheranceofthe
conspiracyforaconvictionof
conspiracytocommita
misdemeanororafelonyofthe
thirddegree(norequirementof
anovertactforfeloniesofthe
firstorseconddegrees)
MensRea:personisnotguilty
ofconspiracyunlessthe
conspiratorialagreementwas
madewiththepurposeof
promotingorfacilitatingthecommissionofthesubstantive
offense(objectmusthavebeen
tobringabouttheprohibited
resultortocausethe
prohibitedconducttooccur
(evenifsuchpurposeisnotan
elementofthetargetoffense))
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AttendantCircumstances:
state-by-stateandcrime-by-
crimebasiswhetherlevelof
culpabilityregardingan
attendantcircumstancemaybehigherthanisrequiredbythe
underlyingoffense
Punishment:conspiracyto
commitafelonyor
misdemeanorwasa
misdemeanor;somestates
continuetotreatall
conspiraciesasmisdemeanors,
but,moreoften,sanctionfor
conspiracyisgradedin
relationshiptothecontemplatedcrime
Punishment:(aswithother
inchoateoffenses)MPCgrades
conspiracytocommitanycrime
otherthanafelonyinthefirst
degreeatthesamelevelasthe
objectoftheconspiracy
Notes DoesnotMerge:crimeofconspiracydoesnotmergeinto
theattemptedorcompleted
offensethatwastheobjectof
theconspiracy
ThirdPartyGuilt:intent(or
purpose)maybeinferredfrom
knowledgeiftheperson
furnishingtheserviceor
instrumentalitypromotesthe
ventureandhasastakeinthe
outcome(suchasfurnishing
thegoodsorservicesata
grosslyinflatedprice),orwhen
Merges:MPCprovidesthatapersonmaynotbeconvicted
andpunishedforboth
conspiracyandtheobjectofthe
conspiracyoranattemptto
committhetargetoffense,
unlessconspiratorial
agreementinvolved
commissionofadditional
offensesnotyetcommittedor
attempted
4TypesofAgreementFall
WithinDefinitionofConspiracy:
Apersonisguiltyof
conspiracyifsheagreesto:
1. commitanoffense2. attempttocommitan
offense
3. solicitanothertocommitanoffense
4. aidanotherpersonintheplanningor
commissionofthe
offense
ThirdPartyGuilt:provider
ofgoodsorservicesisnota
partofaconspiracyisheis
awareof,butfailstosharein
thecriminalpurpose
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itisagrosslydisproportionate
shareofhisbusiness(ora
grosslydisproportionateshare
ofhisbusinessisfromseparate
customerswhoseplannedconductisillegal)orifhe
providesgoodsandservicesforwhichthereisnolawfuluse
CorruptMotiveDoctrine
appliedinsomejurisdictions
PluralityRequirement:at
leasttwopeoplemustpossess
therequisitemensreaofa
conspiracy(intenttoagreeandthespecificintentthatthe
objectoftheagreementbeachieved)
Persondoesnotneedtoknow
theidentity,oreventhe
existenceofeveryother
memberoftheconspiracy,nor
mustsheparticipateinevery
detailoreventofthe
conspiracy
Issueiswhetherasingle
agreementormanydistinct
oneswereformed;manycourtstreattheinitialagreement
betweenthepartiesasonethat
implicitlyincorporatedthelater
objectives
Ashared,singlecriminal
objectiveisnecessary,notjust
similarorparallelobjectives
betweensimilarlysituated
people
WhartonsRulean
agreementbytwopersonstocommitanoffensethatby
definitionrequiresthe
voluntaryconcertedcriminal
participationoftwopersons,
cannotbeprosecutedasa
conspiracy.(doesnotapplyif
thetwopersoninvolvedinthe
conspiracyarenotthetwo
peoplenecessarilyinvolvedin
NoCorrupt-MotiveDoctrine
Unilateralapproachto
conspiracy(apersonisguilty
ofconspiracywithanother
personifheagreeswithsuchotherpersontocommitan
offense
Apersonwithmultiplecriminal
objectivesisguiltyofonlyone
conspiracyifthemultipleobjectivesare:(1)partofthe
sameagreement;or(2)partof
acontinuousconspiratorial
relationship
Guiltyofconspiringwithco-
conspiratorsco-conspiratorsif
heknewofthat/those
relationships(mustnotknow
theiridentities)
MPCdoesnotrecognize
WhartonsRule
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committingthesubstantive
offense).
Third-partyexceptionifmore
thantheminimumnumberof
personsnecessarytocommitanoffenseagreetocommitthe
crime,Whartonsruleisnottriggered
Legislative-ExemptionRule
apersonmaynotbeconvicted
ofconspiracytoviolatean
offenseifherconvictionwould
frustratealegislativepurpose
toexemptherfromprosecution
forthesubstantivecrime
PinkertonDoctrineperson,
simplybecauseheisapartyto
aconspiracy,maybeheld
responsiblefortheactionsof
hispartnersincrime.
Partytoaconspiracyis
responsibleforanycriminalactcommittedbyanassociateifit:
(1)fallswithinthescopeofthe
conspiracy;and(2)isa
foreseeableconsequenceofthe
unlawfulagreement
Unlessthelegislatureotherwise
provides,apersonmaynotbe
prosecutedforconspiracyto
commitacrimeundertheMPC
ifshewouldnotbeguiltyofthe
consummatedsubstantive
offense:(1)underthelaw
definingthecrime;or(2)asan
accompliceinitscommission.Inturn,apersonisnotguiltyas
anaccompliceinthecommissionofanoffenseifshe
wasthevictimoftheprohibited
conduct,orifherconductwas
inevitablyincidenttoit
commission
MPCrejectsthePinkerton
Doctrine
Defenses Impossibilityneitherfactual
impossibilitynorlegal
impossibilityisadefensetoa
criminalconspiracy
Abandonmentonce
agreementisformed(andin
somejurisdictions,oncean
overtactisperformed)the
conspiracyoffenseiscomplete
andabandonmentisnota
defense(butbywithdrawing,
thepersonmayavoidliability
forsubsequentcrimes
MPCdoesnotrecognizea
defenseofimpossibilityin
conspiracycases
Abandonmentisadefenseto
conspiracyiftheconspirator
renounceshercriminalpurpose
andthwartsthesuccessofthe
conspiracyunder
circumstancesdemonstratinga
completeandvoluntary
renunciationofhercriminal
intent(shemustalsonegatethe
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committedinfurtheranceofthe
conspiracy;andonceaperson
withdraws,thestatuteof
limitationsbeginstoruninher
favor)Toabandon,partyisrequired
tocommunicatewithdrawaltoeachofherfellowco-
conspirators
dangerofthegroupshejoined)
Hearsayevidenceintrialforconspiracyisinadmissible,subjecttotwoexceptions:
1. anout-of-courtadmissionbyadefendantmaybeintroducedatthedefendantstrialthroughthehearsaytestimonyofthepersontowhom
thedefendantmadethestatementorwhooverheardtheremarks
2. anout-of-courtstatementofaconspiratormadewhileparticipatingintheconspiracymaybeintroducedinevidenceagainstanyorallofherco-conspirators
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COMPLICITY CommonLaw ModelPenalCode
Elements/Requirements PrincipalintheFirstDegree:
personwho,withrequisite
mensrea,(1)physically
commitstheactsthatconstitute
theoffense;or(2)commitstheoffensebyuseofaninnocent
instrumentalityorinnocent
humanactor
PrincipalintheSecond
Degree:personwhoisguiltyof
anoffensebyreasonofhaving
intentionallyassistedinthe
commissionofthecrimeinthe
presence,eitheractualor
constructive,oftheprincipalin
thefirstdegree
AccessoryBeforetheFact:
differsfromprincipalinthe
seconddegreeinthatheisnot
actuallyorconstructively
presentwhenthecrimeis
committed(oftentheperson
whosolicits,counsels,or
commands(shortofcoercing)
theprincipalinthefirstdegree
tocommittheoffense
AccessoryAftertheFact:
personwho,withknowledgeofanothersguilt,intentionally
assiststhefelontoavoidarrest,
trial,orconviction(atcommon
lawthisactorwasalso
derivativelyliableforthe
originalfelony,buttodaynearly
alljurisdictionstreatthisasa
separate,lessseriousoffense
thanthefelonycommittedby
theprincipalinthefirstdegree)
AttemptingtoAid:Personis
notanaccompliceunlesshisconduct(oromission)infact
assistsinthecommissionofthe
offense(butanyaid,nomatter
howtrivial,suffices,andtheaid
mayevenbecausally
unnecessarytothecommission
oftheoffense).
Personisanaccompliceinthe
commissionofanoffenseif,
withtherequisitemensrea,he:
(1)solicitshispartnerto
committheoffense;(2)aids,agreestoaid,orattemptstoaid
hispartnerintheplanningor
commissionoftheoffense;or
(3)hasalegaldutytoprevent
thecommissionoftheoffense,
butmakesnoefforttodoso
Personmaybeanaccomplice
evenifhedidnotinfactassist
AttemptingtoAid:Personmay
beheldasanaccomplice,even
ifhisaidwasineffectual
Personmaybeguiltyof
attempt,eveniftheprincipal
didnotcarryoutthecrimeorif
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MensRea:accomplicemust
possess:(1)intenttoassistthe
primarypartytoengageinthe
conductthatformsthebasisof
theoffense;and(2)themental
staterequiredforthe
commissionoftheoffense,as
providedinthedefinitionofthe
substantivecrime(convictionofaccompliceincommissionof
acrimeofrecklessnessornegligenceispermittedsolong
astherequisitementalstates
exist)
Personisnotanaccomplice
unlesshesharesthecriminal
intentoftheprincipal;there
mustbecommunityofpurpose
intheunlawfulundertaking
AttendantCircumstances:mensreapoliciesregardingthe
substantiveoffenseshouldcontroltheaccomplices
situation(accomplicemustact
withpurposeofassistingthe
principalintheconductthat
constitutestheoffenseandmusthavethelevelof
culpabilityrequiredastothe
prohibitedresult,ifany,ofthe
offenseheshouldbedeemed
anaccompliceifhisculpability
astotheattendant
circumstanceswouldbe
sufficienttoconvicthimasaprincipal
InnocentInstrumentality:
personistheprincipalinthe
firstdegreeif,withthemensrea
requiredforthecommissionof
theoffense,heusesanon-
humanagentoranon-culpable
theprincipaldidnottakea
substantialsteptowards
carryingoutthecrime(andis
thereforenotguiltyofattempt)
ifthewould-beaccomplicesconductwouldestablish
complicityifthecrimehadbeencarriedout
MensRea:personisan
accompliceifheassistswith
thepurposeofpromotingor
facilitatingthecommissionof
theoffense(butknowingisnot
sufficienttoinferpurpose)
(Recklessnessand
Negligence)Apersonisanaccompliceinthecommission
oftheoffenseif:(1)hewasanaccompliceintheconductthat
causedtheresult;and(2)he
actedwiththeculpability,if
any,regardingtheresultthatis
sufficientforcommissionofthe
offense
AttendantCircumstances:
MPCdoesnotaddressthisissue
InnocentInstrumentality:a
personislegallyaccountable
fortheconductofaninnocent
orirresponsiblepersonifhe:
(1)hasthementalstate
sufficientforcommissionofthe
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humanagenttocommitthe
crime
offense;and(2)causesthe
innocentorirresponsible
persontoengageincriminal
conduct
Notes Atcommonlaw,accessory
couldnotbeconvictedofamoreseriousoffense,ora
higherdegreeoftheoffense,
thanhisprincipal(single
exceptionwasahigherdegree
ofcriminalhomicide)
NaturalandProbable
ConsequencesDoctrine:(at
commonlawandinmost
jurisdictions)aperson
encouragingorfacilitatingthe
commissionofacrimemaybe
heldcriminallyliablenotonlyforthatcrime,butforanyother
offensethatwasanaturaland
probableconsequenceofthe
crimeaidedandabetted
Atcommonlaw,accomplice
couldnotbeconvictedofthe
crimeuntiltheprincipalwas
convictedand(withlimited
exception)couldnotbe
convictedofamoreserious
offenseordegreeofoffense
Legislative-ExemptionRule: a
personmaynotbeprosecuted
asanaccompliceinthe
commissionofacrimeifheisa
memberoftheclassofpersons
forwhomthestatute
prohibitingtheconductwas
enactedtoprotect
MPCrejectstheNaturaland
ProbableConsequences
Doctrine
Defenses Abandonmentaccomplice
canavoidaccountabilityforthe
subsequentcriminalactsofthe
primarypartybyabandoning
thecriminalendeavor,butthecriminalmustcommunicatehis
withdrawaltotheprincipaland
makeabonafideeffortto
neutralizetheeffectofhisprior
assistance
Abandonmentpersonisnot
anaccompliceinthe
commissionofacrimeifhe
terminateshisparticipation
beforethecrimeiscommittedandifhe:(1)neutralizeshis
assistance;(2)givestimely
warningtothepoliceofthe
impendingoffense;or(3)in
someothermannerattemptsto
preventthecommissionofthe
crime
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CRIMINALHOMICIDE CommonLaw ModelPenalCode
Murder Elements/
Requirements
Murderkillingofa
humanbeingbyanother
humanbeingwith
maliceaforethought
Malice:
1. intentiontokillahumanbeing
2. intentiontoinflictgrievous
bodilyinjuryon
another
3. extremelyreckless
disregardforthe
valueofhuman
life(depraved
heartmurder)
4. intentiontocommitafelony
duringthe
commissionor
attempted
commissionof
whichthedeath
results(felony
murder)
Murderwhenthe
actorunjustifiably,
inexcusably,andinthe
absenceofamitigating
circumstance,kills
another:(1)purposely
orknowingly;or(2)
recklessly,undercircumstances
manifestingextreme
indifferencetothevalue
ofhumanlife
(killsintentionallyor
withextreme
recklessness(i.e.,
depraved-heart
murder))
Extremerecklessness
(andthus,murder)is
non-conclusively
presumedifthe
homicideoccurswhile
theactorisengagedin,
orisanaccomplicein,
thecommissionor
attemptedcommission
of,orflightfrom,oneofthedangerousfelonies
specifiedinthestatute(MPCsversionof
FelonyMurderRule)
Notes IntenttoKillonewho
killsanotherhuman
beingwithout
justification(e.g.,self-
defense),excuse(e.g.,
insanity),ormitigating
circumstance(e.g.,
suddenheatofpassion)
isguiltyofkillingwith
maliceaforethought
andthereforeguiltyof
commonlawmurder
ProvingIntenttoKill:
Natural-and-Probable
ConsequenceRule
(intendedthenatural
andprobable(or
foreseeable)
consequencesofher
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actions);Deadly-
WeaponRule
Wilful,Deliberate,
Premeditated
Killingalmost
everywhereisafirstdegreemurder
-wilful=specificintenttokill
- deliberate=freefrominfluenceof
excitementor
passion(cold-
blooded)
- premeditated=timetothinkthe
matterover(nospecifictime
required,buttheremusthavebeen
timetothinkthe
matterover)
IntenttoInflict
GrievousBodily
Injurymalice
aforethoughtisimplied
ifpersonintendsto
causegrievousbodily
injury(apprehensionof
dangertolife,health,or
limb)toanother,butdeathresults
ExtremeRecklessness
(DepravedHeart
Murder)maliceaforethoughtisimplied
ifapersonsconduct
manifestsanextreme
indifferencetothevalue
ofhumanlife(conduct
demonstratingan
abandonedand
malignantheart);thereisawantonandwillful
disregardofthe
likelihoodthatthe
naturaltendencyofthe
defendantsbehavioris
tocausedeathorgreat
bodilyharm
Apersonkillsrecklessly
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issheconsciously
disregardsasubstantial
andunjustifiableriskto
humanlife;whenthe
riskofdeathisgreatandthejustificationfor
takingtheriskisweakornon-existent,the
actorisguiltyofmurder
(shehasactedwitha
depravedheart)
Incontrast,whena
personshouldbe,butis
notaware,thather
conductisveryrisky
(andunjustifiablyso),
wheretherisk-takingisinadvertent,thisis
criminalnegligenceandintheselessculpable
circumstances,akilling
constitutesinvoluntary
manslaughter
Felony-Murder
applieswhenafelon
killsthevictim
intentionally,recklessly,
negligently,or
accidentallyand
unforeseeably(strict
liabilityfordeathresultingfrom
commissionofafelony);
intenttocommitthe
felonyconstitutesthe
impliedmalicerequiredforcommonlawmurder
Felony-murderrule
extendstoaccomplices
inthecommissionof
elonies
Mostmodernstatutes:deaththatresultsfrom
thecommissionofa
specificallylistedfelony
constitutesfirst-degree
murder(anddeathfrom
anunspecifiedfelonyis
asecond-degree
murder)
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Limitsontherule:
Inherently-Dangerous
FelonyRule(many
stateslimittheruleto
homicidesthatoccurduringthecommission
ofafelonydangeroustohumanlife);
Independent-Felony(or
Merger)Limitation
(felony-murderruleonly
appliesifthepredicate
felonyisindependentof,
orcollateralto,the
homicide)
KillingbyaNon-Felon:
AgencyApproach(felony-murderrule
doesnotapplyifthehomicideiscommitted
bysomeoneotherthana
felonorthoseassociated
withhimintheunlawful
enterprise);Proximate
CausationApproach
(felonisliableforany
deaththatisthe
proximateresultofthe
felony(andareasonable
andforeseeable
responsetothefelony),
whethertheshooterisafelon,orathirdparty)
Undercommonlaw,
deathhadtooccurwithinayearandone
dayofthehomicidalact
Defenses
Manslaughter Elements/
Requirements
Manslaughter
unlawfulkillingofa
humanbeingbyanother
humanbeingwithoutmaliceaforethought
ThreeTypes:
1. VoluntaryManslaughter
intentionalkilling
committedina
suddenheatof
Manslaughterperson
isguiltyofmanslaughter
ifshe:(1)recklesslykills
another;or(2)killsanotherpersonunder
circumstancesthat
wouldordinarily
constitutemurder,but
whichhomicideis
committedastheresult
ofextremementalor
emotionaldisturbance
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passionasa
resultof
adequate
provocation
2. InvoluntaryManslaughter
(modernCriminally
Negligent
Homicide)an
unintentional
killingthatisthe
resultofanact,
lawfulinitself,but
doneinan
unlawfulmanner,
andwithoutdue
cautionandcircumspection
3.Misdemeanor-Manslaughter
anunintentional
killingthatoccurs
duringthe
commissionor
attempted
commissionofan
unlawfulactmay
constitute
involuntary
manslaughterif
theunlawfulactis
anon-felony
Manslaughter:
Provocation(Sudden
HeatofPassion)
Elements:1. actormusthave
actedinheatof
passion
2. passionmusthavebeentheresultof
adequate
provocation
3.actormustnothavehada
reasonable
opportunitytocool
off
4. theremustbeacausallinkbetween
theprovocation,
thepassion,and
thehomicide
forwhichthereisa
reasonableexplanation
orexcuse.
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Notes Manslaughter:
Provocation(Sudden
HeatofPassion)
AdequateProvocations:
1. aggravatedassaultorbattery
2.mutualcombat
3. commissionofaseriouscrime
againstaclose
relativeofthe
defendant
4. illegalarrest5. observationof
spousaladultery
Inadequate
Provocations:
1. atrivialbattery2. learningabout
(butnotobserving)
adultery
3. observationofsexual
unfaithfulnessofa
fiancorother
unmarriedsexual
partner
4. words,nomatterhowinsultingor
offensive
Provocationissufficienttomitigatean
intentionalkillingto
manslaughterifthe
provocationwould
renderanyordinarilyprudentpersonforthe
timebeingincapableof
thatcoolreflectionthat
otherwisemakesit
murderor(pg.537)
Testthedefendants
reactiontotheprovocationbythe
standardoftheordinary
personintheactors
situation
Manslaughter:
CriminalNegligence
involuntary
manslaughterinvolvesa
RecklessHomicide:
consciousrisk-taking
thatisunjustifiableand
substantial(notextreme
enoughtomeritrecklessmurder(defendant
chargedwithrecklessmurderisentitledtoa
juryinstruction
regardingreckless
manslaughter))
ExtremeMentalor
Emotional
Disturbance:
(intendedtoincorporate
commonlawdoctrines
ofheatofpassionanddiminishedcapacity)
EMEDitisenoughthat
thedefendant
experiencedintense
feelings,sufficientto
causelossofself-
control,atthetimeof
thehomice
Reasonablenessofthe
explanationorexcuse
regardingtheEMEDis
determinedfromthe
viewpointofapersonintheactorssituation
underthecircumstances
ashebelievesthemto
be
Differencesfrom
CommonLawHeat-of-
Passion:
- aspecificprovocativeactis
notrequiredto
triggertheEMED
defense(allthatmustbeprovenis
thatthehomicide
occurredasa
resultoftheEMED
forwhichthereis
areasonable
explanationor
excuse
- iftherewasa
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grossdeviationfromthe
standardofcarethat
reasonablepeople
wouldexerciseinthe
samesituation;negligentwhenshe
shouldbeawarethatsheistakingasubstantial
andunjustifiableriskto
humanlife,butisnot
provocation,it
neednotfall
withinanyfixed
category,and
words,alone,canwarranta
manslaughterinstruction
- thereisnorigidcoolingoffperiod;
nosuddenness
requirement
Defenses
Negligent
Homicide
Elements/
Requirements
Acriminallynegligent
homicideinvoluntary
manslaughterat
commonlaw
constitutesthelesser
offenseofnegligent
homicideundertheMPCNotes
Defenses
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SELFDEFENSE CommonLaw ModelPenalCode
Elements/Requirements Non-aggressorisjustifiedin
usingforceuponanotherifhe
reasonablybelievessuchforce
isnecessarytoprotecthimself
fromimminentuseofunlawfulforcebytheotherperson
Deadlyforceisonlyjustifiedin
self-protectioniftheactor
reasonablybelievesthatitsuse
isnecessarytoprevent
imminentandunlawfuluseof
deadlyforcebytheaggressor
Components:
- Necessitylimitedtoimminentthreatsonly
- Proportionality- ReasonableBelief
subjectivelybelievedthat
heneededtouseforceto
repelanimminent
unlawfulattack(belief
mustbeonethata
reasonablepersoninthe
samesituationwould
havepossessed
- Non-Aggressor
Apersonisjustifiedinusing
forceuponanotherpersonifhe
believesthatsuchforceis
immediatelynecessaryto
protecthimselfagainsttheexerciseofunlawfulforceby
theotherindividualonthe
presentoccasion
Deadlyforcemaynotbeusedif
thepersonknowsthathecan
avoidthenecessityofusing
suchforcewithcompletesafety
byretreating
Notes Somejurisdictionshavea
retreatrule,othersdonot
(thereisaCastleExceptioninthosejurisdictionsthatrequire
retreatiftheopportunity
exists)
ImperfectSelf-Defense:
1) anondeadlyaggressorwhoisthevictimofadeadlyresponsemust
retreattoanyknown
placeofcompletesafety
beforeusingdeadlyforce;
ifhefailstodoso,his
rightofself-defenseisconsideredimperfect
2) onewhokillsanotherbecauseheunreasonably
believesthatfactual
circumstancesjustifythe
killing,isguiltyof
manslaughter,rather
thanmurder
DifferencesfromCommonLaw:
- Draftedintermsoftheactorssubjectivebeliefintheneedtouseforce;his
beliefneednotbe
reasonable
- immediatelynecessaryonthepresent
occasionauthorizesself-
protectiveforcesooner
thanmaybeallowedat
commonlaw
Summary:
- ifDdidnotstarttheunlawfulconflict,hemay
usedeadlyforceagainstV
ifhebelievesthatsuch
forceisimmediately
necessaryonthepresent
occasiontocombatan
unlawfuldeadlyassault
byV,assumingoneofthe
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followingcircumstances
exists:
1. DhasretreatedandVcontinues
topursuehim2. Dknowsofno
safeplacetoretreat
3. EvenifDcouldhaveretreated,if
Disinhishome
orplaceofwork,
andVisnotinhis
placeofwork
- IfDdidstarttheunlawfulconflictbutdidsowithout
thepurposeofprovoking
adeadlyconflict,Dmaystillusedeadlyforceinall
thecircumstancesnotedabove(Dmaybe
prosecuted,however,for
theinitialunlawful
assaultorbattery)
- DmaynotkillVinself-defenseifhestartedthe
conflictwiththeintentto
causedeathorgreat
bodilyharm,unlesshe
withdrawsfromthe
conflict.Ifhedoes,Ds
privilegetokillis
restored
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DURESS CommonLaw ModelPenalCode
Elements/Requirements Acquittedofanydefense
(exceptmurder)ifthecriminalactwascommittedunderthe
followingcircumstances:
1. anotherpersonthreatenedtokillorgrievouslyinjurethe
actororathirdparty,
particularlyanear
relative,unlessshe
committedtheoffense
2. theactorreasonablybelievedthatthethreat
wasgenuine
3. thethreatwaspresent,imminent,and
impendingatthetimeof
thecriminalact
4. therewasnoreasonableescapefromthethreat
exceptthrough
compliancewiththe
demandsofthecoercer
5. theactorwasnotatfaultinexposingherselftothe
threat
Coercingpartyisresponsible
forthecoercedvictimsconduct
(asaprincipalinthefirst
degreethroughinnocent
instrumentality)andmaybe
convictedoftheoffenses
committed
Durressisanaffirmative
defensetounlawfulconductbythedefendantif:
1. shewascompelledtocommittheoffenseby
theuse,orthreateneduse,ofunlawfulforceby
thecoerceruponheror
anotherperson,and
2. apersonofreasonablefirmnessinhersituation
wouldhavebeenunable
toresistthecoercion
(abandonsimmanentdeadly
threatrequirement)
(defensemaybeusedin
murderprosecutions)
(norequirementthatimperiled
personbethedefendantora
memberofherfamily)
(likecommonlawrule,the
defenseislimitedtothreatsor
useofunlawfulforcedoes
notapplytocoercionarising
fromnaturalsources)
(likecommonlaw,MPCdoes
notrecognizethedefensewhen
anyinterestotherthanbodily
integrityisthreatened)
Notes
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NECESSITY CommonLaw ModelPenalCode
Elements/Requirements Canbeusedwhere,asaresult
ofsomenatural(non-human)forceorcondition,hemust
choosebetweenviolatinga
relativelyminoroffense,onthe
onehand,andsuffering(orallowingotherstosuffer)
substantialharm topersonor
property,ontheotherhand
1. Actormustbefacedwithaclearand
imminentdanger
2. Defendantmustexpect,asareasonableperson,
thathisactionwillbe
effectiveinabatingthe
dangerheseekstoavoid,
i.e.,theremustbeadirect
causalrelationship
betweenhisactionand
theharmtobeaverted
3. Theremustbenoeffectivelegalwayto
averttheharm
4. Harmthatthedefendantwillcausebyviolating
thelawmustbeless
seriousthantheharmhe
seekstoavoid(lesser-
harmprinciple)
5. Lawmakersmustnothavepreviously
anticipatedthechoiceof
evilsanddeterminedthe
balancetobestruck
betweenthecompeting
valuesinamannerin
conflictwiththe
defendantschoice
6. Defendantmustcometothesituationwithclean
hands
Personsconductisjustifiedif:
1.hebelievesthathisonductisnecessaryto
avoidharmtohimselfor
another
2. theharmtobeavoidedbyhisconductisgreater
thanthatsoughttobe
avoidedbythelaw
prohibitinghisconduct
3. nolegislativeintenttoexcludetheconductin
suchcircumstances
plainlyexists
(noimmeninency
requirement)
(persondoesnot
automaticallylosethedefense
becausehewasatfaultin
creatingthenecessary
situation)
(defenseisnotlimitedto
emergenciescreatedby
naturalforces;itisnotlimited
tophysicalharmtopersons
orproperty;itmaybe
employedinhomicide
prosecutions)
Notes
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INTOXICATION CommonLaw ModelPenalCode
Elements/Requirements VoluntaryIntoxication:
-
notadefensetogeneral-intentcrimes
- isadefensetospecific-intentcrimes(personis
notguiltyofanoffenseif,asaresultofthe
intoxicationatthetimeof
thecrime,hewas
incapableofformingor
didnotinfactform,the
specificintentrequiredin
thedefinitionofthe
offense
InvoluntaryIntoxication:
- entitledtoacquittalinallofthecircumstancesin
whichvoluntary
intoxicationisadefense
- (itseemsthatheshouldalsobeacquittedofany
general-intentoffense
sinceintoxicationwas
contractedina
nonculpablemanner)
ThreeTypes:
1.
Self-InducedIntoxication2. PathologicalIntoxication3. InvoluntaryIntoxication
Anyformofintoxicationisadefensetocriminalconductifit
negatesanelementofthe
offense
Pathologicalintoxicationand
involuntaryintoxicationare
affirmativedefenses,ifthe
intoxicationcausestheactorto
sufferfromamentalcondition
comparabletothatwhich
constitutesinsanityunderthe
MPC
SingleException:ifaperson
duetoself-induced
intoxicationisunawareofarisk
ofwhichhewouldhavebeen
awarehadhebeensober,such
unawarenessisimmaterialina
prosecutionforwhich
recklessnessestablishes
criminalliability
Notes
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