Basics
The two basic types of crimes.
What are Felonies and Misdemeanors?
Two people agree to rob a bank, what crime have they committed?
Conspiracy
Mathilda gets into an argument with another person at a bar. She goes out to her car gets a gun and shoots the person. What crime has she committed?
First degree murder
Cecilia pickpockets Lucien's wallet which has $50 in it. What crime has she committed?
Petty Larceny
What is the name of Tom's Dog?
Walter
These are the two basic requirements of a crime.
What are a criminal act and a guilty state of mind?
What are the two types of accessories to a crime?
Accessory before the fact and accessory after the fact.
Levon gets into an argument at a bar and in the heat of the moment pulls a gun and shoots the other person. What crime has he committed?
2nd degree murder
Rufus threatens Carl with a knife and forces him to hand over his wallet. What crime has he committed?
Robbery
True or False - The insanity defense applies only if the defendant is insane at the time of the trial?
False!
This is a crime that does not require a guilty state of mind.
What is a strict liability crime?
Susan hires someone to kill her husband Bob, what crime has she committed?
Solicitation
Meinhard starts a fire that burns down his neighbor's barn, what crime has he committed?
Arson
False!
What is an accomplice to a crime?
A person who assists in the commission of the crime.
Eric tries to pick the lock of a house so he can commit burglary but is caught before he enters the house. What crime has he committed?
Attempt (or attempted burglary)
Elvira shoots a security guard while robbing a bank, what crime has she committed?
Felony Murder
Jerry, an accountant, takes $100,000 out of his client Tom's bank account, what crime has he committed?
Embezzlement
A mugger, who is unarmed, tries to steal Ulrike's wallet, but she pulls a gun on the mugger and shoots him. Can she successfully claim self-defense?
No, she was not in imminent danger of lethal harm, thus the use of deadly force was not justified.
What is the difference between motive and a guilty state of mind?
A motive is why you do the crime, the guilty state of mind is simply the intention to commit the crime.
Two people discuss the possibility of robbing a bank but then they never do anything further. Have they committed a crime?
No, there was no overt act.
Dagmar is speeding on a windy road and hits a pedestrian, killing them. What crime has she committed?
Voluntary Manslaughter
Lucinda buys a television for $50 from Robert, who stole it. What crime has she committed?
Receiving Stolen Property
Necessity