7: Criminal Law
- Page ID
- 170366
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- 7.1: The Nature of Criminal Law
- This page explains criminal law as a state-driven process distinguishing harmful acts from personal grievances, contrasting it with civil law. It highlights how crime definitions can change over time and societal attitudes, stressing the need for clear statutes to uphold fairness. The page outlines that a crime includes both an act and intent, with societal consequences taking precedence over individual forgiveness.
- 7.2: Types of Crimes
- This page offers a comprehensive overview of crime classification, examining major felonies, white-collar crimes, and specific federal laws like the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and RICO. It categorizes serious offenses, including violent crimes against individuals and property thefts. The page addresses the nonviolent nature of white-collar crimes, such as fraud, and highlights the importance of accurate financial reporting.
- 7.3: The Nature of a Criminal Act
- This page explores fundamental concepts in criminal law, highlighting the differences between committing a crime and attempting or preparing to commit one, including the recognition of attempt and conspiracy as offenses. It emphasizes the importance of intent and actions in these cases.
- 7.4: Responsibility
- This page explores mens rea, highlighting the importance of criminal intent in determining liability for most offenses and distinguishing it from strict liability crimes. It outlines legal excuses, including mistake of fact, entrapment, and lack of capacity, while noting that ignorance of the law is generally not an excuse. Additionally, it discusses how factors such as coercion and mental incapacity can affect criminal responsibility, showcasing the complexities inherent in criminal liability.
- 7.5: Procedure
- This page provides an overview of pretrial criminal procedures following an arrest, emphasizing legal processes. It explains the preliminary hearing's role in determining trial evidence. The functions of prosecutors, charging, and plea bargaining are discussed, along with defendants' options (guilty, not guilty, no contest) and sentencing options. The content underscores the balance between fairness to defendants and societal interests in the US criminal justice system.
- 7.6: Constitutional Rights of the Accused
- This page provides an overview of the constitutional rights of defendants in U.S. courts, rooted in the Bill of Rights. It highlights essential protections such as the Fourth Amendment's prohibition of unreasonable searches, the Fifth Amendment's safeguards against double jeopardy and self-incrimination, the Sixth Amendment's rights to a speedy trial and confrontation of witnesses, and the Eighth Amendment's protection against cruel punishment.
- 7.7: Cases
- This page examines legal accountability in corporate governance through two cases: *State v. Mills* and *United States v. Park*. In *Mills*, the court affirmed fraud convictions despite the defendants' claims of no permanent deprivation of property. In *Park*, accountability for unsanitary conditions was upheld for corporate executives. Additionally, the page discusses *United States v.
- 7.8: Summary and Exercises
- This page covers essential concepts in criminal law, focusing on societal offenses, specific intent, and the differences between felonies and misdemeanors. It includes discussions on crimes like larceny and conspiracy, the importance of legal counsel, and introduces white-collar crime. Practical exercises, real-life scenarios, defenses, and legal principles in various cases are highlighted, alongside self-test questions to enhance understanding and reinforce learning.