Criminal Law

11/25/2014

I. Elements of Criminal Conduct

A. Conduct (Actus Reus)
1. The Voluntary Action Requirement
{Reading Assignment 2: Casebook pp. 205-218; MPC: 2.01 (1), (2)}
2. Liability for omissions
a. The basic doctrine
{Reading Assignment 3: Casebook pp. 218-228 (up to Notes on Duties
triggered by special circumstances; MPC: 2.01 (3)}
b. Status relationships, special circumstances, and the problem of
distinguishing omissions from acts
{Reading Assignment 4: Casebook pp. 228-241; MPC: 2.01 (3), (4)}
B. Mental states (Mens Rea)
1. Old-fashioned generalized mens rea
{Reading Assignment 5: Casebook pp. 241-252 (up to note on Model Penal Code
reforms.)}
2. Introduction to the Model Penal Code approach to mens rea
{Reading Assignment 6: Casebook pp. 252-266; MPC: 2.02, especially (1)-(5),
(7), (8)}
C. Mens Rea nuances
1. Mistake of fact
{Reading Assignment 7: Casebook pp. 266-282 (up to section d.); MPC: 2.04 (1)(2)}
2. Strict liability
{Reading Assignment 8: Casebook pp. 282-292 (up to Guminga), 297-303 (from
"Notes on the Academic Debate" up to section c.); MPC: 2.02 (3), 2.05}
3. Mistake of law
a. The basic doctrine that knowledge of the law is not required for criminal
liability unless the law so specifies
{Reading Assignment 9: Casebook pp. 303-316; MPC: 2.02 (9), 2.04 (1),
(3)}
b. More exceptions and complications to the basic doctrine about knowledge
of the law
{Reading Assignment 10: Casebook pp. 316-329; MPC: 2.02 (9)-(10),
2.04 (3)-(4)}

III. Homicide
A. Intentional killing
1. Premeditation
{Reading Assignment 11: Casebook pp. 427-437; MPC: 210.1, 210.2}
{Background reading: Casebook pp. 420-427}
2. Provocation
a. The two main approaches to provocation
{Reading Assignment 12: Casebook pp. 437-451 (up to Notes on nonprovoking victims and provoking defendants)}
b. The model Penal Codes replacement of provocation and the
reasonableness requirement
{Reading Assignment 13: Casebook pp. 453-463; MPC: 210.3 (1), (6)}
B. Unintentional killing
1. Involuntary manslaughter
{Reading Assignment 14: Casebook pp. 463-481; MPC: 210.3 (1) (a), 210.4}
2. Manslaughter versus murder
{Reading Assignment 15: Casebook pp. 482-490 (up to 2. The Felony-Murder
Rule; MPC: 210.2 (1) (b)}
3. Felony murder
a. The basic felony murder doctrine, its rationale, and reforms
{Reading Assignment 16: Casebook pp. 490-502 (up to Phillips); MPC:
210.2 (1) (b)}
b. The inherently dangerous felony and merger limitations on the felony
murder rule
{Reading Assignment 17: Casebook pp. 502-515 (up to d. Killing Not in
Furtherance of the Felony}
c. Further restrictions on the felony murder rule: killings not in furtherance
of the felony and killings by non-felons the agency and proximate cause
doctrines
{Reading Assignment 18: Casebook pp. 515-523}
IV. Attempts
A. Introduction and mens rea
{Reading assignment 19: Casebook pp. 607-617 (up to section 3.); MPC: 5.05 (1), 5.01
(1) }

B. Actus reus
{Reading assignment 20: Casebook pp. 617-636 (up to note 2); MPC: 5.01 (1), (2), (4)}
C. Impossible Attempts
o {Reading assignment 21: Casebook pp. 641-655; MPC: 5.01 (1), 5.05 (2)}
V. Complicity
A. Introduction and mens rea
1. Mens rea with respect to the principal's conduct
{Reading assignment 22, Casebook pp. 657-674 (up to Section b.); MPC: 2.06,
5.01 (3)}
2. Mens rea with respect to results and attendant circumstances and the "natural
and probable consequences" doctrine
{Reading assignment 23, Casebook, pp. 674-686.)}
B. Actus reus for complicity: aiding, encouraging,
o {Reading assignment 24, Casebook pp. 687-692 (up to note 3.); also look again at
MPC: 2.06 (3)}