Murder Types
A man walks into a bar that he knows his enemy frequents. He has been planning this for weeks now. He shoots the man dead and runs off.
What is 1st Degree Murder?
What is the primary goal of civil law?
What is Compensation
This is the idea that a person is considered innocent until the government proves they committed a crime.
What is the presumption of innocence?
A student wears a T-shirt to school that criticizes a school policy.
Generally Legal (student free speech, as long as it’s not disruptive).
This amendment protects freedom of speech, religion, the press, assembly, and petition.
What is the First Amendment?
Two people get into a heated argument at a party. In the moment, one person becomes extremely angry and intentionally attacks the other without any prior planning. The injured person later dies from the injuries.
What is 2nd Degree Murder?
What is the standard of evidence used in civil law cases?
What is Preponderance of Evidence?
This is the standard the prosecution must meet to prove a defendant is guilty in a criminal case.
What is proof beyond a reasonable doubt?
A police officer stops someone just because they “look suspicious,” with no specific reason.
Generally Illegal (needs reasonable suspicion to stop/detain).
This part of the Constitution lists many of our basic freedoms and protections.
What is the Bill of Rights?
Two people plan to rob a convenience store late at night. One person goes inside while the other waits outside as a lookout. During the robbery, a customer in the store suffers a fatal medical emergency after being threatened and frightened. Neither of the robbers intended for anyone to die, and neither physically harmed the customer.
What is a felony murder?
What are compensatory damages, and what are they meant to cover?
What is the money awarded to reimburse the plaintiff?
This means a person can be held responsible for a crime even if they only helped or encouraged someone else to commit it.
What is accomplice liability?
A store owner refuses to serve someone because of their race.
Illegal (discrimination in public accommodations).
This amendment protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government.
What is the Fourth Amendment?
Two people are in a long-term relationship. One day, one partner unexpectedly discovers the other in a deeply upsetting situation that feels like a serious betrayal. Overcome by intense emotion and without time to cool off, the person reacts violently in the moment. The injured person later dies from the injuries.
What is Voluntary Mansluaghter ?
What is the difference between compensatory damages and punitive damages, and when should punitive damages be awarded?
Compensatory damages repay losses and punitive damages punish harmful or wrecklessness behavior.
This doctrine allows criminal liability when a defendant intentionally aids, abets, or encourages the commission of a crime, even if they did not carry out the criminal act themselves.
What is accomplice liability?
A teacher searches a student’s backpack because another student reported seeing a prohibited item inside.
Likely Legal (schools can search with reasonable suspicion).
This amendment guarantees the right to a fair and speedy trial in criminal cases.
What is the Sixth Amendment?
A person is driving well above the speed limit while distracted by their phone. They fail to notice a red light and collide with another vehicle in the intersection. The other driver later dies from their injuries. The person who caused the crash did not intend to harm anyone.
What is Involuntary Manslaughter ?
Explain the 4 elements a plaintiff must prove in a negligence claim
Duty, Breach of Duty, Causation and Damages.
This constitutional rule generally excludes evidence obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment from being used in a criminal trial.
What is the exclusionary rule?
A person records a police officer in public while standing on the sidewalk and not interfering.
Generally Legal (protected by free speech/press in public spaces).
This amendment protects homeowners from being forced to house soldiers in their homes during peacetime without consent.
What is the Third Amendment?