Criminal Law and Evidence Flashcards
Definition of a Crime
Conduct defined as criminal in the code, other acts of the Legislature, or in the Constitution.
Interpreted to give provisions genuine construction according to fair import of words taken in their usual sense.
Definition of Dangerous Weapon
Any instrumentality which, in the manner used, is calculated or likely to produce death or great bodily harm (GBH).
Can be an inherently harmless object, or even an unloaded gun where used as if it were loaded.
Principals
People who
- Commit criminal act, or
- Aid, abet, counsel, or procure another (PACA “Paco”) to commit a criminal act
Doesn’t matter if at scene or not
Accessory After the Fact
A person who:
- After felony
- Harbors, conceals, or aids,
- With actual or constructive knowledge of felony, AND
- Intent to help avoid punishment
Mens Rea
Intent can be either general or specific:
- General intent is when offender is aware that the criminal consequences were reasonably certain to result from act or omission
- Specific intent is when offender actively desired cr
First Degree Murder
- The killing of a human being,
- Where offender had specific intent (SI) to kill or inflict GBH, AND
- Was:
(a) engaged in perpetration or attempted perpetration of an enumerated felony, or
(b) when the crime or offender meets on eof the aggrivating factors
Enumerated Felonies for Murder
For both 1st and 2nd degree murder (except for terrorism):
Aggravated Burglary
Aggravated Arson
Aggravated or _2_nd degree _K_idnapping
Aggravated Escape
Aggravated or forcible Rape
Cruelty to juveniles
ARs: Armed, 1st degree, 2nd degree, or simple robbery
Assault by Drive by shooting
Terrorism (ONLY 1st degree murder)
Agg BAK2ER CArDT
Aggravating Factors for First Degree Murder
- Murder for Hire
- Fireman or law enforcement Officer (murder must be related to status)
- Victim or family member is Witness
- Victims under Age 12 or over 65
- Ritualistic acts
- Drug distribution or purchase
- Specific intent to kill Two victims (same act)
- No-contact Order between perpetrator and victim
- Prior killing with SI to kill or cause GBH
HOWARD TOP
Second Degree Murder
The killing of a human being:
- When offender has SI to kill or inflict GBH (no aggravating factor)
- Death during perpetration or attempted perpetration of an enumerated felony (see other card), with NO intent to kill or inflict GBH
- When offender unlawfully distributes or dispenses a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) which is the direct cause of death of recipient who ingested or consumed it
Note that for attempted murder, must have SI to kill, not just to inflict GBH
Manslaughter: two types
- Homicide that would be murder, but for:
(a) sudden _P_assion or heat of _B_lood,
(b) caused by Provocation,
(c) sufficient to deprive average person of self _C_ontrol and _C_ool reflection, AND
(d) there was no Time for blood to cool
B.PCT
- Homicide without SI to cause death or GBH, while:
(a) offender is perpetrating unenumerated felony
(b) offender is perpetrating an intentional misdemeanor against the person, or
(c) offender is resisting a lawful arrest (in a manner not inherently dangerous or where it would not be murder)
Negligent Homicide
- Killing by criminal negligence
- Killing by dog/other animal when owner is reckless and criminal negligent in animal’s confinement or handling (not applicable for police dogs, service dogs, or if victim is an intruder)
Violation of statute is only presumptive evidence of such negligence.
Vehicular Homicide
- Killing of a human being,
- By offender operating a vehicle, boat, or plane, or other means of conveyance, AND
- Under the influence of drugs or alcohol
If drugs/alcohol not involved, do NOT use vehicular homicide (instead look to negligent homicide)
Criminal Assistance to Suicide
- Intentional advising, encouraging, or assisting another to commit suicide, OR
- Providing physical means or knowledge of means to enable another to commit suicide
Battery Types
Simple battery: the intentional (a) use of force or violence, or (b) administration of noxious substance, (c) against another, (d) without the consent of the victim.
Aggravated battery: battery, with a dangerous weapon (note that consent doesn’t matter)
Second degree battery: battery, when offender (a) intentionally (SI), (b) inflicts serious bodily injury on victim (does not apply to medical providers)
Aggravated second degree battery: duh, just combine them
Miscellaneous Battery
Battery of:
1. Police officer
2. School teacher
3. Referee
4. Corrections officer
5. Bus operator
6. Child welfare worker
7. Infirm
8. Domestic abuse battery
PSR BICCD
Serious Bodily Injury
Definition:
1. Substantial Risk of death
- Unconsciousness
- Protracted and obvious Disfigurement
- Protracted loss or Impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty, OR
- Extreme physical pain
RUDIE
Assault
Simple assault: (a) an attempt to commit a battery, or (b) the intentional placing of another in reasonable apprehension of receiving a battery
Aggravated assault: assault with a dangerous weapon
Aggravated assault with a firearm: aggravated assault committed with a firearm
Miscellaneous Assaults
- Assault by drive by shooting
- Aggravated assault on peace officer with a firearm (no discharge required)
- Aggravated assault with motor vehicle on peace officer
- Use of laser on police officer
- Assault on school teacher
- Mingling harmful substances
- Assault on child welfare worker
- Aggravated assault on utility worker with a firearm
Negligent Injuring Types
General negligent injuring: (a) inflicting injury (b) by criminal negligence
- violation of statute is presumptive evidence of negligence
Negligent animal handling: inflicting of injury by dog or other animal when owner is reckless and criminally negligent in confining the animal
Vehicular negligent injuring: inflicting of injury by person operating a car/boat/plane/other means of conveyance when under the influence of alcohol or drugs
First degree vehicular negligent injuring: same as vehicular negligent injuring, but involves inflicting serious bodily injury
Miscellaneous Assault and Battery Offenses
- Intimidation by officers: threats or violence to get confession from person in custody
- Terrorizing: intentional communication of information about impending harm to cause fear
- Stalking: intentional and repeated following or harassing causing alarm or distress, by a person who is not a private investigator
- Cyberstalking: use of email to extort, threaten, or harass
- Cyberbullying: transmission to torment a child under 18
- Cross burning: on property of another or public, with intent to intimidate
STICCC
Interference with Child Custody
The intentional taking of a minor by a parent without right of custody, with intent to take child from other parent that has the right of custody.
False Imprisonment
General: the (a) intentional confinement or detention of another, (b) without consent, and (c) without proper legal authority
False imprisonment with a dangerous weapon: unlawful intentional detention or confinement of another, while offender is armed with a dangerous weapon
Human Trafficking
(a) Recruiting, HArboring, Transporting, or Soliciting, RHATS
(b) a person to provide services or labor
(c) through fraud, force, or coercion
Simple Kidnapping
(a) intentional and forcible seizing and carrying of person from one place to another without consent, or
(b) intentional taking for unlawful purpose the child of another, who is under 14, without consent of parent or guardian
(c) intentional taking of institutionalized person without consent of proper authority
(d) intentionally taking a child out of state from custodian with intent to defeat jurisdiction
Aggrivated Kidnapping
Aggravated kidnapping:
- Either (a) forcibly Seizing and Carrying from one place to another, (b) Persuading of person to go from one place to another, or (c) forcibly Secreting any person, SCarPS
- To force someone to give up something of value
- In order to secure release
Robbery (Types)
Simple robbery is the (a) taking of anything of value, (b) belonging to another, (c) from the person of another or their immediate control, (d) by the use of force or intimidation, (e) when not armed with a dangerous weapon.
Armed robbery: same, but while armed with a dangerous weapon
First degree robbery: same, but when perpetrator leads victim to reasonably believe that he is armed with a dangerous weapon
Second degree robbery: same as simple, but when offender intentionally inflicts serious bodily injury
Carjacking
- Intentional taking of a motor vehicle
- Belonging to another
- In the presence of person in possession of the vehicle
- By the use of force or intimidation
Purse Snatching
- Theft of anything of value
- Within purse or wallet
- From the person of another, or their immediate control
- With force, intimidation, or snatching
- While NOT armed with a dangerous weapon
Extortion
- Communication of threats to another
- With intention to obtain anything of value or any advantage (from person or family member)
Burglary (all types)
Simple burglary:
1. Unauthorized entering
2. of any dwelling, vehicle, other Structure, or cemetary
3. with Intent to commit a Felony or Theft
U SIFT
Aggravated burglary: Simple + 1) armed or becomes armed with a dangerous weapon, OR 2) commits a battery.
Misc. burglary: Simple +
- Inhabited dwelling: structure used as a home
- Pharmacy: unauthorized entry + intent to commit theft of drug
- Religious bilding
- Law enforcement or emergency vehicle
Unauthorized Entry
Intentional entry without authorization into:
1. an Inhabited dwelling (structure used as a home)
2. Critical infrastructure (completely enclosed by barrier)
3. place of Business (if completely enclosed by a six foot barrier)
4. dwelling during Disaster (unless attempting to rescue or seek refuge)
BIC’D
Separated from burglary by the lack of intent to commit a felony or theft
Looting
- Intentional entry into any immovable or movable
- When normal security is not present
- Because of force majeure or riot
- To obtain control over, damage, or remove the property of the owner
There are enhanced penalties if there is a declared state of emergency
Home Invasion
Unauthorized entry of home when person is present with specific intent to use force against the person or to harm property
Criminal Trespass
- Entering or remaining on
- A movable or immovable
- Owned by another
- Without express, legal, or implied authorization
Includes entry on or remaining in place after being forbidden
Does NOT apply to: police, fire department, EMTs, or government agents