Intro to Criminal Law
If Meredith forgets to turn the stove off before leaving for work and her apartment building catches on fire as a result, does she have a guilty state of mind?
No
True/False: Most sexual assaults are carried out by someone the victim knows.
True
What is arson?
Dan's boss, Greg, fired him from his job of fifteen years. Three days later Dan ambushes and kills Greg as he leaves his home. Dan is guilty of what crime?
First-degree murder
What are the three types of inchoate crimes?
Solicitation, Conspiracy, Attempt
What is a crime of omission?
When someone fails to perform an act required by a criminal law, if he or she is physically able to perform the act.
Example: Not paying taxes, not showing up for jury duty, not stopping after an automobile accident
What is it called when a person repeatedly follows or harasses another person and makes threats, causing the victims to fear death or bodily injury?
Stalking
Give two examples of vandalism.
Graffiti, breaking windows, ripping down fences, etc
Seamus and Casey break into a house armed to burglar jewelry in the middle of the night. They believed the house was empty, but find Tom inside. Tom and Seamus begin wrestling for control of Seamus' gun when it discharges and kills Tom. What crime will Seamus and Casey be charged with?
Felony Murder
If Dennis wishes to kill his wife, Carmella, and lacks the nerve to do the job, but asks William to kill her, he is guilty of what crime?
Solicitation
What is the difference between state of mind and motive?
State of mind refers to the level of awareness and motive is the person's reason for performing the act.
Any attempt to carry out a physical attack on another person is known as?
Assault/Battery
What determines if a crime is grand larceny or petty larceny?
Value of the item stolen
Michelle comes home to her husband, Bill, having an affair with Susan. Michelle kills Susan. Michelle is guilty of what crime?
Voluntary Manslaughter
Frank shoots a handgun at Jesse to try to kill him. He misses and then is instantly tackled by police officers. Frank will be mostly be charged with which crime?
Attempted Murder
A crime that does not require a guilty state of mind is what type of offense?
Strict Liability
Kidnapping
Tom takes the company credit card and buys himself a new suit and a Rolex watch. Tom is guilty of what crime?
Embezzlement
Trent is a police officer and responds to an armed perpetrator at a Wal-Mart. Trent shoots and kills the man. What type of homicide is illustrated in this case?
Noncriminal Homicide
Steve and Clyde are playing with Steve’s loaded gun when it accidentally goes off and kills Clyde. Steve could potentially be charged with what degree of homicide?
Involuntary Manslaughter
Give an example of each of the following:
Principal
Accomplice
Accessory before the fact
Accessory after the fact
Various answers
What are the six different types of homicide discussed in class?
First-degree murder, felony murder, second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter, and negligent homicide
You recently purchased a Rolex watch from Sneaky Pete for the low price of $200. What crime could you potentially be convicted of?
Receiving Stolen Property
Kyle and Justin find a large diamond while hunting in the woods. They get into an argument over who should get the diamond and Kyle kills Justin. Kyle is guilty of what crime?
Second-degree murder
What is the most common type of negligent homicide?
Vehicular Homicide