Intoxication Flashcards
What does intoxication cover?
alcohol, drugs and other substances such as glue sniffing
Although intoxication does not provide a defence why is it relevant?
it is relevant as to whether or not the defendant has the required mens rea for the offence; if D has no mens rea for the offence, he may not be guilty
Whether the defendant is guilty or not depends on what?
1) on whether the intoxication was voluntary or involuntary
2) whether the offence charged is one of specific or basic intent
What are specific intent offences?
these are generally those which require septic intention for their mens rea such as murder, s.18 OAPA, theft, robbery and burglary
What are basic intent offences?
these are generally those for which recklessness is sufficient for the mens rea such as manslaughter, ss20 ss47 ,assault and battery
What is voluntary intoxication?
this is where the defendant has chosen to take an intoxicating substance such as alcohol, illegal drugs or other intoxicants such as sniffing glue and proscribed drugs where D is aware it will make him intoxicated
Voluntary intoxication can negate the mens rea for a specific intent office, If the defendant is so intoxicated that he has not formed the mens rea for the offence, is he guilty?
no
Which case does the rule that If the defendant is so intoxicated that he has not formed the mens rea for the offence then he is not guilty, come from?
DPP v Beard
What happened in the case of DPP v Beard?
D claimed he was too intoxicated to have the mens rea for murder. Conviction quashed on appeal as Lord Birkenhead stated that in a specific intent offence, intention is required. Unlawful act manslaughter instead
D claimed he was too intoxicated to have the mens rea for murder. Conviction quashed on appeal as Lord Birkenhead stated that in a specific intent offence, intention is required. Unlawful act manslaughter instead
What case is this?
DPP v Beard
other than DPP v Beard, in what other case was the defendant found too drunk to have formed the mens rea for murder?
Sheehan and Moore
What happened in the case of Sheehan and Moore?
Ds were very drunk and threw petrol over a tramp setting fire to him. Found too drunk to have formed an intent to kill. Intoxication was a defence to that offence. Guilty of manslaughter instead as it is a basic intent offence
Ds were very drunk and threw petrol over a tramp setting fire to him. Found too drunk to have formed an intent to kill. Intoxication was a defence to that offence. Guilty of manslaughter instead as it is a basic intent offence
What case is this?
Sheehan and Moore
Where D has the necessary mens rea despite his intoxicated state then he is guilty of that offence. The intoxication does not provide a defence. It has been held that drunken intent is still an intent. Which case shows this?
A-G for Northern Ireland v Gallagher
What happened in the case of A-G for Northern Ireland v Gallagher?
D decided to kill his wife and bought a knife He then drank a bottle of whiskey to give him Dutch courage. Convicted for murder upheld.
D decided to kill his wife and bought a knife He then drank a bottle of whiskey to give him Dutch courage. Convicted for murder upheld.
What case is this?
A-G for Northern Ireland v Gallagher
Which 3 cases were heard together in 2013 at the COA?
Coley, McGhee, Harris
What happened in the case of Coley?
D took cannabis an attacked his neighbours. Trial judge ruled that the case was one of voluntary intoxication and the jury found him guilty of attempted murder. Conviction upheld as despite his state of mind, he intended to kill
D took cannabis an attacked his neighbours. Trial judge ruled that the case was one of voluntary intoxication and the jury found him guilty of attempted murder. Conviction upheld as despite his state of mind, he intended to kill
What case is this?
Coley
When is intoxication not a defence?
when the charge is one of basic intent
When the offence charged is one of basic intent, why is intoxication not a defence?
as voluntarily becoming intoxicated is considered as reckless and recklessness is enough to consistute the necessary mens rea
What is the leading case on the fact that intoxication is not a defence for a basic intent offence?
DPP v majweski?
What happened in the case of DPP v Majweski?
D took alcohol and drugs and then attacked someone. D then attacked police officers. Law lords held that becoming intoxicated was reckless and enough to constitute the mens rea for assault cases