Elements of Criminal Law Flashcards
Crimes are divided into those which require _____ intent to commit a criminal act and the intended result and those that require only _____ intent to do an act which is defined as criminal by the North Carolina statutes.
Specific
General
_____ may be transferred when a defendant intends to harm one person, but his act results in the same harm to another person.
Intent
Latin term which translates to “guilty mind”
Mens Rea
The state-of-mind element - may be subjective knowledge, objective knowledge or willful blindness.
Knowingly
The state-of-mind element - wrongful act done without legal excuse or justification, or the commission of an act purposefully and deliberately in violation of law
Willfully
The state-of-mind element - conscious and intentional disregard of and indifference to the rights and safety of others.
Wantonly
What are the three prongs necessary for for a crime to fulfill the “maliciously” state-of-mind element
(1) Done with hatred or spite
(2) Inherently dangerous to human life; AND
(3) Done intentionally and without justification
The state-of-mind element - recklessness or carelessness that shows a thoughtless disregard of consequences or a heedless indifference to the safety and rights of others
Criminal Negligence
The state-of-mind element - No guilty mind is necessary; the defendant committed the prohibited act and is, therefore, guilty.
Strict Liability
Statutes of limitations preclude prosecution if a charge is not brought within a certain time defined by statutes.
Bars to prosecution
What is the statute of limitations for misdemeanor crimes in North Carolina?
Two years
What is the statute of limitations for felony crimes in North Carolina?
No statute of limitations
What are the three categories that defenses fall into?
Self-defense
Defenses showing a lack of blameworthiness (Insanity, entrapment)
Failure of proof or negating defenses such as accident
Persons committing the entire crime, acting indirectly or acting in concert
Principals
What is aiding and abetting?
(1) A crime is committed by another person
(2) He or she knowingly advises, instigates, encourages, procures, or helps the other person commit the crime; AND
(3) His or her actions or statements caused or contributed to the commission of the crime.
What is accessory before the fact to a felony?
(1) Before a felony is committed by another, he or she counsels, procures, commands, or knowingly aids the other person to commit the felony
(2) The felony is committed by another person
(3) He or she is not present when the other person commits the felony, AND
(4) His or her actions or statements caused or contributed to the commission to the crime by the other person
What chapter covers criminal law?
Chapter 14
What chapter covers motor vehicle law?
Chapter 20
What chapter covers drug offenses?
Chapter 90
What chapter covers domestic violence?
Chapter 50B
Each _____ is divided according to related subject matter into a series of numbered Articles, and each Article is divided according to related subject matter into a series of number _____.
Chapter
Sections
Can cities and counties enact ordinances to protect the health, safety, or welfare of their citizens?
Yes, these are called local ordinances
A county ordinance applies everywhere inside the county except within _____.
Cities
A private dispute between two or more parties which may or may not involve a crime.
Civil Matter
Criminal offenses consist of certain factual components, commonly referred to as “_____.”
Elements
It is not possible—or even desirable—to attempt to memorize the elements of every criminal offense. There are, however, certain offenses for which an officer may have to take immediate action. With respect to these offenses, officers must know the elements and be able to recognize the violation “_______.”
On sight
What are the elements of Resist, Delay, Obstruct and Officer?
(1) Willfully and unlawfully
(2) Resists OR Delays OR Obstructs
(3) A public officer
(4) Knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe that the victim is a public officer AND
(5) While the officer is discharging or attempting to discharge a duty of his or her office