Criminal Code Article 1 and 2 Flashcards
To have a crime you need three parts:
- Guilty conduct (actus reus)
- Guilty mind (mens rea)
- Causation
What are the two levels of burden of proof in a civil case
- clear and convincing evidence
- preponderance of evidence
Burdens of Proof
(High to Low)
clear and convincing evidence (civil) the plaintiff must prove to this level.
- beyond a reasonable doubt
- preponderance of evidence
(Civil) enough to make liable.
(51%) - probable cause
- reasonable suspicion (lowest
lvl)
actus reus
guilty act
mens rea
mental state (intent)
Culpable Mental States
- Intentionally
- Knowingly
- Recklessly
- Negligently
Knowingly
willfully
wantingly
impulsively,
Recklessly definition
consciously disregarding an unjustifiable risk.
negligently
- error
- accident
- mistake
- omission- obligation to do something by law but fail to do so
in a criminal case the plaintiff is____
- The state
- the state is the moving party
In a Criminal Case, only the ____ can bring the criminal case even though the individual _____ is the reporting party.
- state
- victim
In a Criminal Case, It is the ______ decision whether or not to file charges against the defendant.
prosecutor’s
In a Criminal Case, the true victim is_______.
“the People of the
State of Colorado.
In a Criminal Case, the remedy sought most often is______.
incarceration
In a Civil case the plaintiff is ____
- An individual
- an individual is most
commonly the moving party.
In Civil cases the most common remedy sought is_____
monetary damages.
(sometimes: protection
order or temporary injunction is sought)
Civil Cases are also known as what?
Torts
Two most important issues relating the criminal.
- disproving the defense
- real defense
disproving the defense
beyond a reasonable doubt
real defense
focus on the responding and investigating officers’ actions.
4 most common reasons why guilty defendants get off
- Failure of prosecutor to
properly prepare. - Mistakes, omissions, errors or
conclusions found in police
reports. - Contradictions in police
reports.
d. Statements of suspects,
witnesses very often make the
case.
Jury Instructions
1.Trial judges are probably
reversed more often on appeal
because of incorrect
instructions than any other
reason.
2. Defendant’s theory of the case
must be given.
3. Juror’s do not understand
instructions but try to follow
them.
5. “Lesser included offenses”:
lesser included offense is__
an offense which has been committed if the greater offense is proved
Rights to a Defendant
- presumption of innocence
- Legal assistance
- Preliminary hearing or waiver
- Speedy trial
- Right to a jury trial
- Affirmative Defense
- prosecution of multiple crimes
- Appellate review