Defenses Flashcards
Any insanity defense requires that the defendant plead the following
Mental disease or defect
Define the M’Naghten Test (purely cognitive): 2 elements
- Defendant either did not know that his conduct was wrong
2. Did not understand the nature of his conduct.
What are the 2 elements of the irresistible impulse test (volitional test)
If defendant:
- It was unable to CONTROL his actions or
- Was unable to CONFORM his conduct to the law
Under the model Penal Code, the test for insanity is if the defendant lacked substantial capacity to do either of the following 2 things:
- Appreciate the CRIMINALITY of his conduct, or
2. CONFORM his conduct to the requirements of law
Under New York law, to invoke the insanity defense, the defendant must prove that he LACKED the SUBSTANTIAL CAPACITY to either (2 things)
- Understand the NATURE and CONSEQUENCES of his act, or
- Appreciate the WRONGFULNESS of his conduct
(this is more lenient than M’Naghten)
Under the Durham test, what must defendant proved to qualify as insane
That his conduct was the PRODUCT of a mental illness
Shorthand for 1. M’Naghten, 2. Irresistible impulse, 3. Durham, 4. Model Penal Code
- M’Naghten: defendant doesn’t know right from wrong
- Irresistible impulse: what it says
- Durham: but for mental illness, no act
- MPC - combination of M’Naghten and irresistible impulse
Distinguish insanity from incompetency?
You are insane at the time of the crime.
You are a competent if AT THE TIME OF TRIAL defendant cannot understand the nature of the proceedings against him OR help his lawyer prepare his defense
At common law, voluntary intoxication is a defense to what type of crime
Specific intent
Under New York law, voluntary intoxication is a defense to what types of crimes?
Crimes were intoxication negates either the INTENT or KNOWLEDGE required for the crime (it can be a defense to malice crimes in New York, but not at common law).
What age may be prosecuted for second-degree murder under NY law? At what age may be prosecuted for serious offenses against persons or property under NY law? Generally, at what age are you only subject to the jurisdiction of Family Court in NY?
- You may be prosecuted for secondary murder at age 13, 14 or 15
- You may be prosecuted serious offenses against people or properties at age 14 or 15
- Otherwise, between the ages of 7 and 16, you are exclusively in Family Court.
At common law, if the mental state for the crime is specific intent, what types of mistake of fact will be a defense?
Any mistake of fact is a defense for specific intent crimes
At common law, what type of mistake of fact will be a defense for malice or general intent crimes?
Only a reasonable mistake of fact will be a defense to malice or general intent crimes
Whatever mistake of fact will be a defense to strict liability crimes?
No mistake of fact is defense to strict liability crimes
Under New York law, a mistake of fact will be a defense if it negates the relevant mental state. For crimes of purpose, knowledge or recklessness, what type of mistake of fact will be a defense?
Any mistake of fact well negate purpose, knowledge or recklessness