Vocab
latin term meaning "guilty mind"
Mens Rea
Who represents the state or federal government in a criminal case?
Prosecutor
What do we call the person who actually commits the crime?
Principal
Which is more common? Violent crimes or property crimes?
Property crimes
failing to perform an act required by criminal law
Crime of omission
latin term meaning "guilty act"
Actus Rea
What standard of proof must the prosecution meet to convict someone of a crime?
Beyond a reasonable doubt
A person helps someone commit a robbery and is present during the crime
Accomplice
True or False: Most violent crimes are committed by someone the victim is familiar with or related to.
False
Crimes that are committed before or in preparation for committing another crime are known as
Incohate crimes
A law makes an act a crime regardless of whether the person knew they were breaking the law or intended to do anything wrong. What type of offense is this?
Strict liability
Criminal laws exist at what two levels of government?
Federal and state
A person encourages someone to commit a crime and helps plan it but does not actually commit the crime.
Accessory before the fact
Who is more likely to be a victim of crime? Women or men?
Men
an agreement between 2 or more persons to commit a crime along with a substantial act toward committing that crime
conspiracy
a serious criminal offense punishable by a prison sentence of more than one year
felony
True or False: Most criminal cases in the United States are prosecuted in federal court.
False
A person knows their friend committed a crime and later helps the friend hide from police.
Accessory after the fact
Who is more likely to be victims of property crime? Rich or poor people?
Poor people
an effort to commit a crime that goes beyond mere preparation but does not result in the commission of a crime
attempt
"an open to view" act
Overt act
True or False: In order to convict someone of a crime, the State must prove ALL elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.
True
A person gives another person the tools they need to commit a crime and helps plan the crime, but is not present when it happens.
Accessory before the fact
What are the three effects of crime?
financial, physical, and emotional
the act of requesting or strongly urging someone to do something. If the request is to do something illegal
solicitation