criminal law- table

8/3/2019 Criminal Law- Table

1/22

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


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


2/22

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


3/22

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))


4/22


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


5/22

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


6/22

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


7/22

committedinfurtheranceofthe

conspiracy;andonceaperson

withdraws,thestatuteof

limitationsbeginstoruninher

favor)Toabandon,partyisrequired

tocommunicatewithdrawaltoeachofherfellowco-

conspirators

dangerofthegroupshejoined)

Hearsayevidenceintrialforconspiracyisinadmissible,subjecttotwoexceptions:

1. anout-of-courtadmissionbyadefendantmaybeintroducedatthedefendantstrialthroughthehearsaytestimonyofthepersontowhom

thedefendantmadethestatementorwhooverheardtheremarks

2. anout-of-courtstatementofaconspiratormadewhileparticipatingintheconspiracymaybeintroducedinevidenceagainstanyorallofherco-conspirators


8/22

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


9/22

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


MPCdoesnotaddressthisissue

InnocentInstrumentality:a

personislegallyaccountable

fortheconductofaninnocent

orirresponsiblepersonifhe:

(1)hasthementalstate

sufficientforcommissionofthe


10/22

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


11/22

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


12/22

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


13/22

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)


14/22

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


15/22

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.


16/22

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


17/22

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


18/22

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


19/22

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


20/22

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


21/22

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


22/22

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

criminal law- table

Documents