1: Introduction to Criminal Law
- Page ID
- 100577
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- Explain the category of behavior defined as a crime.
- Identify and explain the sources of laws.
- Explain the concepts of stare decisis judicial review.
- Distinguish between criminal law and criminal procedure.
- Distinguish between criminal law and civil law.
- Explain the primary differences between criminal prosecutions and civil litigation.
- Explain the differences between different classifications of crimes, from most serious to least serious.
- Explain the difference between jail and prison.
- 1.1: Introduction
- This page introduces the U.S. legal system and crime, outlining essential elements: a criminal act, intent, and illegality. It highlights state-specific laws shaped by cultural values, emphasizing the need for laws to evolve with society. The text advocates for a nuanced understanding of legal principles, noting that a crime must be established before punishment.
- 1.2: Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure
- This page distinguishes between criminal law, which defines rights and obligations related to crimes, and criminal procedure, which focuses on the enforcement of those rights during the criminal process. It illustrates these concepts with examples of shoplifting and police use of force. The main takeaway is that criminal law pertains to what constitutes a crime, while criminal procedure addresses how rights are enforced in investigations and trials.
- 1.3: The Difference Between Civil and Criminal Law
- This page explains the distinctions between civil and criminal law, emphasizing that civil law addresses disputes and seeks compensation for injuries, while criminal law involves government prosecution for law violations aiming to punish offenders. It uses examples like Steven's actions and the O.J. Simpson case to illustrate these differences, particularly the contrasting standards of proof and varying constitutional protections for defendants in each type of case.
- 1.4: Classification of Crimes
- This page outlines the classification of crimes by severity and punishment, distinguishing between felonies, misdemeanors, felony-misdemeanors, and infractions. It categorizes malum in se crimes as more serious than malum prohibitum. Punishments vary: felonies can result in severe penalties, misdemeanors may incur jail time or fines, felony-misdemeanors depend on circumstances, and infractions are minor, typically resulting in fines.
- 1.5: The Purposes of Punishment
- This page outlines the five main purposes of punishment in the criminal justice system: specific deterrence (preventing future crime by instilling fear in offenders), general deterrence (deterring crime in the public), incapacitation (removing offenders from society), rehabilitation (changing behavior), retribution (satisfying victims and society), and restitution (financial compensation for victims).
- 1.6: Sources of Law
- This page discusses sources of law—constitutional, statutory, and case law—emphasizing that constitutional law is the highest authority. It outlines the implications of important rulings, such as the California Supreme Court's Keeler decision on fetal rights and the US Supreme Court's Shaw v. Murphy regarding inmates' rights.
- 1.7: End-of-Chapter Material
- This page outlines the differences between criminal law and civil litigation, detailing their definitions, goals, and procedures. Criminal law involves government prosecution for law violations aiming at punishment, while civil litigation addresses personal disputes for compensation. It covers crime classifications and sources of law and includes practical scenarios for legal decision-making. Overall, it emphasizes the distinct yet interconnected nature of criminal and civil legal systems.
- 1.8: Delegation of Duties
- The duty to perform a contractual obligation may usually be delegated to a third party. Such delegation, however, does not discharge the delegator, who remains liable on the contract absent a novation. Some duties may not be delegated: personal services cannot be, and public policy or the contract itself may bar delegation.