Criminal Law Basics
The government must prove the accused committed a crime beyond a reasonable _______
DOUBT
Latin term meaning the "guilty act"
ACTUS REUS
Latin term meaning the "guilty mind"
MENS REA
The "but for" test is used to prove ___
ACTUAL CAUSE
The defense that allows reasonable force to protect yourself.
SELF-DEFENSE
The two main purposes of criminal law are to define crimes and ____ offenders
PUNISH
A person is usually not guilty unless their conduct involved a ___ act
VOLUNTARY
PURPOSE/ SPECIFIC INTENT
Foreseeability is usually part of proving ___ cause
PROXIMATE/ LEGAL
Self-defense requirements reasonable belief of ___ harm
IMMINENT
A crime is considered an offense against the ___
STATE OR SOCIETY
True/False: Thoughts alone can satisfy actus reus.
FALSE
Acting while aware of a substantial and unjustifiable risk and ignoring the risk is ___
RECKLESSNESS
T/F: An intervening act always breaks causation.
FALSE
A defense where the defendant admits the act but claims it was legally right is a ____ defense.
JUSTIFICATION
The legal principle meaning "no punishment without law"
LEGALITY
Failure to act can be criminal only when there is a legal ___ to act.
DUTY
Acting when a reasonable person would have recognized the risk is ____
NEGLIGENCE
A foreseeable intervening cause is called a ____ cause
DEPENDENT INTERVENING
A defense where the defendant argues they should not be blamed due to mental/other limits is an ____ defense.
EXCUSE
STATUTES AND COMMON LAW
List one situation where a legal duty to act exists.
SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP, STATUTE, CONTRACT, VOLUNTARY ASSUMPTION OF CARE, OR CREATION OF RISK.
STRICT LIABILITY
If a later event is completely UNforeseeable and breaks causation, it is an ____ intervening cause
INDEPENDENT
The defense where a person commits a crime because of an immediate threat and no reasonable escape.
DURESS