chapter 8 Flashcards
2 components that must be present in almost every crime
state of mind
motive
mens rea
state of mind
what is mens rea?
the latin term lawyers use when they discuss the requirements for a guilty state of mind
state of mind
refers to the level of awareness a person has when omitting an act
motive
the person’s reason for performing an act
strict liability offenses
the legal responsibility for damage or injury, even if you are not negligent (selling alcohol to minors, statutory rape)
felony
a serious criminal offense punishable by a prison sentence of more than one year
misdemeanor
a criminal offense punishable by a jail sentence less than one year
principal
the person who commits a crime
accomplice
a person who voluntarily helps another person commit a crime
accessory before the fact
a person who orders a crime or helps the principal commit the crime but who is not present during the crime
accessory after the fact
a person who knows a crime was committed helps the principal avoid capture or help them escape
crime of omission
failing to perform an act required by criminal law
inchoate crimes
crimes that are committed before or in prep for committing another crime
solicitation
act of requesting or strongly urging someone to do something
attempt
an effort to commit a crime that goes beyond mere prep but does not result in the commission of the crime
conspiracy
an agreement between two or more parties to commit a crime along with a substantial act toward committing the crime
actus reus
criminal (illegal) life
elements of the crime
every offense committed when committing a crime
crime
an action of omission that constitutes an offense that may be prosecuted by the state and is punishable by law
strict liability
the legal responsibility for damage or injury, even if you are not negligent
kidnapping
taking a person against their will
assault
an intentional threat, show of force, or movement that causes a reasonable fear of, or an actual physical contact with another person
battery
any intentional, unlawful physical contact inflicted on one person by another person by another person without consent