Page 43 Flashcards
What is mistake as a defense?
If a mistake negatives a mental state required as a material element of the crime, then it is a defense
What is excuse?
When the deed is wrong, but the actor is excused because he was suffering from an abnormal condition that rendered him blameless
If your conduct occurred very soon after a statute was enacted, and before it was generally available or publicized, can that be a defense?
Yes
If a statue is later declared invalid, can that affect you?
No because you should be able to rely on the law
Is it a defense to reasonably rely on the lower court decision?
Yes, but not if you knew the decision was on appeal
Is it a defense to rely on an erroneous official statement of law?
Yes
What does the MPC say about reliance being a defense?
If you reasonably rely on an interpretation of law provided by someone that is charged with the responsibility for interpreting, enforcing or ministering the law, that can be a defense
Can it be a defense if you listened to your lawyer’s advice?
No, because that risks collusion and circumvention of the law
Is ignorance of the law ever an excuse?
No
If you don’t know there’s a statute that proscribes your conduct, can that be an excuse?
No, because ignorance of the law is never an excuse
What are the three exceptions to ignorance of the law not being an excuse?
- statute’s language requires knowledge of the law, and D didn’t have it
- D’s mistake of law causes him to make a critical mistake about the facts in the definition of the crime
- reasonable reliance on an official interpretation of the law from the government
What are the two major types of mistake?
- mistake of law
- mistake of fact
Is mistake of law an excuse if it is made in good faith?
No
What is mistake of fact?
You make a mistake about a fact found in the basic definition of the crime and it negatives the mental state for the crime
Can mistake of fact be a defense?
Yes, only if it negates the mental state for the crime
How does mistake of fact relate to specific intent crimes?
Any mistake of fact is a defense to specific intent crimes, because the defendant didn’t have the mental state required
How does mistake of fact relate to general intent crimes?
Only reasonable mistakes are defenses. If a reasonable person with the same knowledge and in the same position as the defendant would’ve also made the same mistake, then it is a defense
How does mistake of fact relate to malice or reckless crimes?
Mistake must be reasonable, otherwise they are guilty
Is mistake of fact a defense to a strict liability crime?
No
How does the MPC treat mistake of fact?
The jury decides if the defendant really made a mistake, and if so if he had the mental state necessary. Can be reasonable or unreasonable
