I. BASIC DEFINITION - Act + Mental State + Result = Crime Defenses II.

. ACTUS REUS - a voluntary act, omissions do not usually count.

A. VOL !"AR# AC"
COMMON LAW Re$uires a voluntary and a social %arm An act is voluntary if &illed t%e action or if s%e &as sufficiently free t%at s%e could 'e 'lamed for %er conduct. "%e social harm is t%e &ron( caused 'y )s voluntary act. MPC !o *erson may 'e convicted of a crime in t%e a'sence of conduct t%at includes of &%ic% %e is *%ysically ca*a'le. DIFFERENCES

+. ,-C,."/O!S
0. OM/SS/O!S
COMMON LAW !o crime unless t%ere is a le(al duty to act "y*es1 Statute Contract S*ecial Relations%i* Assum*tion of Care .eril &ron(fully created for anot%er MPC Same as CL criminal lia'ility im*osed for t%e omission of an act &%ic% is *%ysically ca*a'le. DIFFERENCES !one NOTES !ot o'tainin( reasona'ly availa'le %el* can ma2e lia'le, no matter &%at 3s *%ysical ca*a'ilities.

4. /!VOL !"AR# AC"

COMMON LAW Can ne(ate t%e action or serve as an affirmative defense. Done in a state of unconsciousness MPC /nvoluntary acts1 refle5, convulsion, movements durin( slee*, movements under or t%e result of %y*nosis, and unconscious movements. DIFFERENCES M.C e5tends CL suc% t%at acts done under %y*nosis and in states of unconsciousness are 6no action.6

III. MENS REA - A mental state is re$uired for most crimes.

A. "#.,S
COMMON LAW Intentionally 7&illfully8 to consciously cause t%e result or &%en one is virtually certain t%at t%e o'9ect &ill occur as a result of )s conduct. Recklessness A %ei(%tened criminal ne(li(ence or conscious disre(ard of a su'stantial and un9ustifia'le ris2. Ne li ence O'9ective fault s%ould %ave 'een a&are t%at %is conduct created a su'stantial and un9ustifia'le ris2 t%at t%e social %arm &ould result. Malicio!sly : &%en one intentionally or (rossly rec2less causes t%e social %arm *ro%i'ited 'y t%e statute.

Strict lia'ility and *u'lic &elfare offences are t%e e5ce*tion. "o *rove an offense, t%e *rosecution must *rove mens rea as to every element of t%e offense MPC P!"#ose : conscious o'9ect &it% conduct ; results. Must 'e a&are of t%e e5istence or 'elieve or %o*e t%at suc% circumstances do e5ist $no%le& e Conscience a&areness t%at results are *ractically certain to occur Recklessness : Conscious disre(ard of a su'stantial and un9ustifia'le ris2. Ne li ence S%ould %ave 'een a&are of a su'stantial and un9ustifia'le ris2. Rule of t%um' .ur*ose = desire for a certain outcome <no&led(e = indifference to a certain DIFFERENCES M.C s*lits intentionally into *ur*ose and 2no&led(e M.C clear distinction 'et&een ne(li(ence and rec2lessness : not on t%e de(ree of ris2 involved 'ut on D)s 2no&led(e of t%e ris2. M.C *rovides t%at &%en it is not clear &%ic% element a mens rea a**lies to, a**ly it to all elements of t%e offense =%ere t%e statute is silent on Mens Rea, rec2lessness is re$uired.

outcome

Will'!l Blin&ness M.C : if one deli'erately avoids 2no&led(e 'ecause of t%e 'elief t%at 2no&in( &ould 'e 'ad, t%en satisfies mens rea of 2no&led(e. Re$uires %i(% *ro'a'ility CL : Only %ave to 'e a&are of *ro'a'le e5istence of element

+. A"",!DA!" C/RC MS"A!C,S

COMMON LAW > MPC ?or a crime re$uirin( a mens rea of1 .ur*ose : must 'e a&are of t%e e5istence of suc% circumstances 7attendant8, or 'elieves or is a&are t%ey e5ist <no&led(e : A&are t%at %is conduct is of t%at nature or t%at suc% circumstances e5ist1 only re$uires %i(% *ro'a'ility of e5istence. Rec2less1 Conscience disre(ard of su'stantial and un9ustified ris2 !e(li(ence : S%ould 'e a&are of su'stantial or un9ustified ris2 DIFFERENCES

C. S.,C/?/C /!",!"@A,!,RAL /!",!"

COMMON LAW A**lies to mens rea. Defined 'y t%e crime Aeneral /ntent volitional doin( of a *ro%i'ited act. Only re$uire intent to commit t%e act constitutin( t%e crime. Can infer all mens rea from o'servin( t%e conduct. S*ecific /ntent intent to do some furt%er act or cause some additional conse$uence 'eyond t%at &%ic% must %ave 'een committed or cause in order to com*lete t%e crime. Acts in addition to (eneral intent. .roof of s*ecific intent is re$uired , 'ut it may 'e circumstantial. "o ne(ate s*ecific intent, a mista2e must 'e %onest. "o ne(ate a (eneral intent, t%e mista2e must 'e %onest and reasona'le. MPC M.C does not distin(uis% 'et&een (eneral and s*ecific intent. DIFFERENCES "%is is e5clusively a CL issue. Aeneral intent desired to commit an actus reusB S*ecial intent desired to 'rin( a'out somet%in( furt%er An alternative definition S*ecific : intent to do conduct and a furt%er intent. Aeneral : intent to do t%e conduct.

D. S"R/C" L/A+/L/"# : =%ere t%ere is no mental state re$uired for an offense

COMMON LAW .u'lic &elfare and traditional crimes. Created 'y statute MPC nder M.C, SL crimes are (enerally restricted to violations and are *unis%a'le 'y fines, not incarceration : *u'lic &elfare crimesB DIFFERENCES M.C is (enerally t%e same as CL.

I(. RESULT
A. CA S, /! ?AC" : Causation is only re$uired for result crimes.
COMMON LAW Conduct satisfies t%e 'ut:for test. Actual cause e5ists &%en t%e result t%at constitutes t%e criminal offense &ould not %ave occurred &%en it did 'ut for )s voluntary act 7or omission8 MPC M.C only re$uires actual causation and uses t%e same 'ut:for test as CL. Cause in fact DIFFERENCES M.C only re$uires actual causation.

+. .RO-/MA", CA S,
COMMON LAW Fo"seea)ility Test "o determine *ro5imate cause, one must determine &%et%er t%e actor &as t%e direct cause and &%et%er t%ere &ere any intervenin( actors or intervenin( causes 7coincidences8 t%at severer t%e causal c%ain 'ac2 to !o intervenin( causes unless t%e cause is foreseea'le or de minimus. Inte"*enin Acts - /ntervenin( acts can sufficiently 'rea2 t%e c%ain of causationB De#en&ent inte"*enin acts1 occur &%ere t%e intervenin( actor acts 'ecause of a condition 'rou(%t u*on 'y t%e D3s *rior conduct. Co&ever, if t%e de*endant intervenin( actor &as (rossly ne(li(ent, t%is is sufficient to 'rea2 t%e c%ain of causation. (ol!nta"y Inte"*enin Act1 occur &%ere t%e intervenin( actor acts voluntarily. /ntentional acts al&ays 'rea2 t%e c%ain of causationB rec2less acts are sometimes sufficient 7de*endin( on court8. MPC M.C %andles *ro5imate causation &it%in t%e mens rea as to results. =%et%er t%e result &as too distant or accidental in occurrence to %ave a 9ust 'earin( on )s lia'ility or on t%e (ravity of t%e offense. /f t%e result deviates too far from &%at is foreseea'le, t%en one &ill 'e e5cul*ated for *ur*ose and 2no&led(e crimes. /f not, t%en &ill 'e convicted even if t%ere is an intervenin( actor. ?or ris2y crimes, t%e result must %ave 'een foreseea'le in order to convict DIFFERENCES ?or M.C, *ro5imate causation is %andled &it%in mens rea. .ur*@<no&1 Causation not esta'lis%ed if result &as not &%at &as intended, unless1 0. 9ust a different *erson 7"ransferred /ntent8 4. /n9ury less t%an intended Rec2@!e(1 Causation not esta'lis%ed if result not &it%in ris2 t%e actor &as or s%ould %ave 'een a&are of, unless1 0. 9ust a different *erson 7"ransferred /ntent8 4. /n9ury less t%an ris2ed ,5ce*tions to forseea'ility1 "a2e t%e Victim as you find %im : Condition unforeseea'le, 'ut still lia'le "ransferred intent : Result unforeseea'le 'ut still lia'le Voluntary intervenin( act : Result foreseea'le 'ut not %eld lia'le.

C. COM.L/C/"#
0. ACCOM.L/C, : An accom*lice is one &%o intentionally assists anot%er *erson to en(a(e in conduct t%at constitutes t%e
offense COMMON LAW Ty#es P"inci#al in t+e ,st &e "ee Actually en(a(e in t%e act or omission t%at constitutes t%e criminal offence P"inci#al in t+e -n& &e "ee incites or a'ets and is *resent, eit%er actively or constructively at t%e time of t%e crime Accesso"y )e'o"e t+e 'act incites or a'ets 'ut is not *resent at t%e time of t%e crime. Accesso"y a'te" t+e 'act : intentionally assists t%e *rinci*al after t%e crime. Actus reus, mens rea and *rinci*al3s com*letion of t%e offense Act!s "e!s A'ettin( or incitin( : "%e must %ave directly of indirectly encoura(ed of facilitated t%e commission of t%e offence. A'ettin( :is any si(nificant assistance in t%e commission of an offense "%e aid must im*act u*on t%e actual *er*etrator aid does not %ave to 'e necessary for t%e successful commission of t%e offense. *er*etrator doesn3t3 %ave to 'e a&are of t%e of t%e accessory3s assistance. /ncitin( encoura(ement even if not accom*anied 'y *%ysical aid. .er*atrator must 'e a&are of encoura(ement +ein( *resent at crime &it% *rior a(reement to aid is sufficient encoura(ement Mens "ea Mental state re$uired for commission of t%e tar(et offense /ntend for action to assist or encoura(e in t%e successful com*letion of t%e crime Aenerally, t%is second element can 'e inferred from t%e first. Accom*lice is lia'le for all crimes t%at are a reasona'ly foreseea'le result of t%e contem*lated crime. Some 9urisdictions allo& )s to 'e accom*lices to rec2less or ne(li(ent crimes. MPC Ty#es P"inci#al Actin( &it% t%e re$uisite mens rea, actually en(a(es in t%e act or omission t%at causes t%e crime, or acts t%rou(% an irres*onsi'le or innocent a(ent 7/nnocent /nstrumentality8 to commit t%e offence Acco.#lice incites or a'ets &it% re$uisite intent 'efore or durin( t%e commission of t%e offense. /ncludes solicitation and omission &%en a duty is *resent. mens rea .ur*osefully *romotes or facilitates in t%e commission of a crime. Must act &it% cul*a'ility sufficient for t%e commission of t%e offense !ote t%at t%is is es*ecially si(nificant in 9urisdictions &it% felony murder 'ecause it ma2es an accom*lice in t%e conduct 7underlyin( felony8 strictly lia'le for t%e resultin( deat% 'ecause %e %ad t%e re$uisite mens rea as to t%e result. "%is is %o& M.C deals &it% accom*lice lia'ility in rec2less or ne(li(ent conte5ts. DIFFERENCES M.C : no actual assistance for accom*lice lia'ility is necessary. A(reement to aid is enou(%. M.C : accom*lice can 'e convicted even if t%e *er*etrator %as not yet 'een *rosecuted, %as 'een convicted of a lesser crime, %as 'een ac$uitted, or is fei(nin(. M.C : does not reco(niDe t%e natural and *ro'a'le conse$uences rule for %omicide found in CL. M.C : one &%o is le(ally inca*a'le of committin( an offense may 'e accounta'le for t%e crime if anot%er *erson for &%om %e is le(ally accounta'le commits it. M.C : 2no&in( facilitation is not enou(% to esta'lis% lia'ility. A victim cannot 'e an accom*lice. M.C includes t%e crime of attem*t to aid and a'et. CL : /f t%e *er*etrator is 9ustified, t%en t%ere is no accom*lice lia'ility 'ecause t%ere is no crime. CL: e5cuses do not transfer from *er*etrator to accom*lice A victim accom*lice 7undera(e (irl in statutory ra*e8 cannot 'e an accom*lice unless t%ere is a le(islative e5ce*tion. <no&in( or rec2less facilitation is sufficient to esta'lis% com*licity in some courts Su'stantiality of aid can also create com*licity. Com*licity may also 'e esta'lis%ed if t%ere is sufficiently su'stantial 'enefit to t%e 2no&in( facilitator.

a. D,?,!S,S COMMON LAW =it%dra&al Must ta2e *lace 'efore t%e events are unsto**a'le /nciter communicate an renunciation of t%e crime to t%e *er*etrator A'ettor Must render t%e assistance (ave ineffective

MPC =it%dra&al =%olly de*rivin( %is *rior assistance of effectiveness, .rovide a timely &arnin( of t%e *lan to la& enforcement Ma2e an effort to *revent t%e commission of t%e offence

DIFFERENCES

(. CRIME
A. /!CCOA",
0. A"",M." : an act done &it% t%e intention of committin( a crime, t%at falls s%ort of com*letin( a crime
COMMON LAW Mens Rea : ?or t%e Attem*t : S*ecific intent to commit t%e acts or cause t%e resultin( tar(et crime. ?or t%e "ar(et crime : /ntent necessary for t%e tar(et crime 7s*ecific or (eneral de*endin( of t%e offence8 ?or strict lia'ility must only s%o& intent to attem*t, no tar(et crime mens rea Rec2less crimes Courts (enerally do not try for attem*ts of rec2less crimes. !e(li(ent crimes : Attem*t to commit is lo(ically im*ossi'le Actus Reus "ests .ro5imity test conduct must 'e *%ysically *ro5imate to t%e intended crime. ?ocuses on &%at remains to 'e done. /ndis*ensa'le ,lements Control over all factors in t%e commission of t%e crime. !ot%in( must 'e left undone .ro'a'le desistance : Li2eli%ood t%at &ould cease efforts to commit t%e crime (iven t%e conduct %as already committed. ne$uivocal 7res i*sa lo$uitur8 An act amounts to attem*t only if it firmly s%o&s t%e 3s intent to commit t%e crime. "%e act Es*ea2s for itselfF Last .ro5imate Act : test %as 'een universally re9ected, is traditional common la& Attem*t is a misdemeanor. MPC Mens Rea : ?or t%e attem*t .ur*osely or 2no&in(ly en(a(es in conduct &%ic% &ould constitute t%e crime if t%e attendant circumstances &ere as 'elieves t%em to 'e. ?or t%e "ar(et crime acts &it% t%e 2ind of cul*a'ility ot%er&ise re$uired for t%e commission of t%e offense. Co&ever, %ere too, t%e mens rea for attem*t is often %i(%er t%an t%e one re$uired for t%e tar(et offense. Aenerally, t%e re$uired mens rea is purpose. Actus Reus must *erform a substantial step to&ard committin( t%e crime. 3s conduct must 'e corro'orative of )s *ur*ose. .Attem*t is a felony. DIFFERENCES nder M.C, may still 'e %eld for t%e attem*t even if t%e tar(et offense is neit%er committed nor attem*ted 'y or anyone else. CL : no definitive Actus Reus test M.C : does not use (eneral vs. s*ecific intent lan(ua(e. Most states no attem*t for ?elony Murder

A. D,?,!S,S COMMON LAW mista2e of fact no mista2e of la& le(al im*ossi'ility no factual im*ossi'ility A'andonment "raditionally never a se. A'andonment is a se &%en it is com*lete and voluntary. Once )s actions %ave *assed t%e *oint of 'ein( an attem*t is not (enerally a se.

MPC !o mista2e of fact !o mista2e of la& Le(al im*ossi'ility. !o factual im*ossi'ility !o %y'rid im*ossi'ility A'andonment1 /s a se only if1 /t is fully voluntary and not made 'ecause of t%e difficulty of com*letin( t%e crime or 'ecause of an increased ris2 of a**re%ension /t is a com*lete a'andonment of t%e *lan made under circumstances manifestin( a renunciation of criminal *ur*ose, not 9ust a *ost*onement

DIFFERENCES M.C Only EtrueF le(al im*ossi'ility is a defense 3s conduct is an attem*t if it &as only *revented 'y )s mista2e of fact.

4. CO!S./RAC#
COMMON LAW Actus Reus a(reement to commit a criminal act or series of acts, or to accom*lis% a le(al act 'y unla&ful means. O'9ect of A(reement : need only 'e unla&ful @ &ron(ful. !ature of t%e A(reement : need not 'e &ritten or even e5*ress. Can 'e im*lied from t%e action of t%e actors Act Doctrine : no furt%er act is necessary in most 9urisdictions. Mer(er : does not mer(e into an attem*t or t%e com*leted offense. Mens Rea S*ecific intent crime &it% 4 *arts1 intent to a(ree intent to carry out t%e o'9ect crime. Some courts allo& conviction if t%e second mens rea 7as to o'9ect crime8 is merely 2no&led(e. Attendant Circumstances : court %as %eld t%at mens rea %ere is t%e same as for t%e su'stantive crime, even if it is strict lia'ility. !um'er of .arties !eeded : t&o or more &it% t%e re$uisite mens rea 7multilateral t%eory8. .unis%ment : some 9urisdictions treat all MPC Actus Reus A(reement to commit a crimeB attem*t to commit a crimeB solicit anot%er to commit an offenseB aid anot%er in *lannin( or commission of an offense. O'9ect of A(reement : must 'e a criminal act. !ature of A(reement : > Act Doctrine : !o overt act is re$uired for serious 70st or 4nd de(ree8 felonies, 'ut re$uired for all ot%er offences. Mer(er : mer(es unless t%ere are furt%er cons*iratorial crimes to 'e carried out. Mens Rea *ur*ose to *romote or facilitate t%e o'9ect crime. Mere 2no&led(e is not usually enou(%, 'ut can 'e &%en com'ined &it% a sta2e in t%e success of t%e o'9ect crime. Attendant Circumstances : Code is silent %ere, e5*ressly leavin( t%is to t%e court to decide. !um'er of .arties !eeded : one &it% t%e re$uisite mens rea 7unilateral t%eory8. .unis%ment : *unis%ment is t%e same DIFFERENCES M.C : 2no&led(e is not enou(%. CL : 2no&led(e may 'e enou(%. M.C does not s*ea2 on attendant circumstances. O'9ect of a(reement must 'e criminal under M.C vs. unla&ful @ &ron(ful in CL M.C is unilateral. CL lets off if state cannot *rove t%at t%ere &as anot%er *erson &it% t%e re$uisite mens rea. Overt act re$uirements differ. M.Ce mer(es and CL does not. M.C %as %eavier *unis%ments. M.C re9ects t%e .in2erton Doctrine. CL Attendant Circumstances is counter:intuitive 'ecause %o& can you a(ree to do somet%in( of &%ic% you are not a&are. CL : /n 9urisdictions t%at do not acce*t .in2erton, you can 'e a cons*irator and not an

cons*iracies as misdemeanors, usually (raded in relation to t%e tar(et offense. .in2erton "est : all mem'ers of a cons*iracy can 'e %eld as accom*lices of t%e crime and of any foreseea'le result of it. Lia'ility %olds even if t%e co:cons*irator did not assist t%e *er*etrator.

for cons*iracy as for t%e o'9ect crime in all cases 'ut 0st de(ree felonies. .in2erton Doctrine is re9ected : if t%e cons*iracy (oes 'eyond t%e intended *ur*ose, one is not (uilty of any foreseea'le crime unless %e can 'e said to %ave aided and a'etted in its commission.

accom*lice. Cearsay evidence may 'e 'rou(%t in to *rove t%e cons*iracy, 'ut not t%e su'stantive offense.

A. D,?,!S,S COMMON LAW !o factual /m*ossi'ility !o le(al im*ossi'ility A'andonment once t%e offense is com*leted 7once t%ere is a(reement8 a'andonment is not a defense. Can relieve lia'ility for future crime of former cons*irators.

MPC !o factual im*ossi'ility !o le(al im*ossi'ility A'andonment if t%e cons*irator renounces %is criminal *ur*ose and t%&arts t%e success of t%e cons*iracy under circumstances demonstratin( a com*lete an voluntary renunciation of criminal intent.

DIFFERENCES

+. COM/C/D,
0. M RD,R : unla&ful 2illin( of a %uman 'ein(
COMMON LAW Comicide &it% malice aforet%ou(%t. Malice Aforet%ou(%t %as four *ossi'le states of mind intention to 2ill anot%er %uman : One may, 'ut need not, infer t%e intent to 2ill from t%e use of a deadly &ea*on intention to inflict serious 'odily %arm 7(reat 'odily in9ury8 Aross rec2lessness 7mali(nant %eart8: Acts in t%e face of an unusually %i(% ris2 t%at conduct &ill cause deat% of serious 'odily %arm. nder certain e5ce*tional circumstances. ?elony murder : durin( t%e commission or attem*ted commission of a felony in &%ic% deat% results. MPC A 2illin( committed *ur*osely or 2no&in(ly, or (ross rec2lessness. .remeditation and deli'eration are not re$uired. Aross rec2lessness rec2less under circumstances manifestin( e5treme indifference to %uman life. DIFFERENCES M.C includes A+C under rec2lessness. M.C)s mens rea is e$uivalent to CL)s intent. =%en M.C uses rec2lessness as t%e mens rea, it is similar to CL)s mali(nant %eart 2illin(s. Statutes %ave 'een enacted &%ic2 (ive de(rees of to CL murder first de(ree includes certain enumerated ty*es of %omicide 7lyin( in &aitB 'y *oison, etc.8B or a &illful, deli'erate, and *remeditated 7=D.8 2illin(B or felony murder 7enumerated felonies include arson, ra*e, ro''ery, or 'ur(lary8. All ot%er forms are 4nd de(ree murder. 6mali(nant %eart6 is usually 4nd de(ree

A. .ROVOCA"/O! : miti(ates murder to voluntary manslau(%ter COMMON LAW MPC Must committed in sudden %eat of *assion ,5treme Mental or ,motional under ade$uate *rovocation Distur'ance : Comicide committed /eat o' #assion under t%e influence of e5treme mental A&e0!ate #"o*ocation1 or emotional distur'ance for &%ic% A((ravated assault or 'attery t%ere is reasona'le e5*lanation or Mutual com'at e5cuse. Serious crime a(ainst close relative M.C e$uivalent of *rovocation /lle(al arrest O'servation of infidelity No coolin o'' #e"io& Ca!sal link )et%een #"o*ocation2 #assion an& +o.ici&e

DIFFERENCES M.C re$uires t%at 'e a&are of t%e ris2 'ein( ta2en 7rec2lessness8. M.C3s use of ,M,D is a 'roader form of t%e CL *rovocation defense. EMED * /eat o' Passion 3/oP4 ,M,D a**lies to all ty*es of %omicide vs. Co. se only a**lies to intentional %omicides ,M,D &ords alone may 'e ade$uate vs. Co. &%ere t%ey are not ,M,D %as no coolin( time re$uirement and Co. does.

+. ?,LO!# M RD,R COMMON LAW One is (uilty if s%e 2ills anot%er *erson, even accidentally, durin( t%e commission or attem*ted commission of any felony. /n%erently dan(erous test "%e lo&er 'ound for acce*ta'le felonies. "%e felony must 'e in%erently dan(erous. Mer(er Rule **er 'ound for acce*ta'le felonies. ?elony must 'e inde*endent from t%e murder. "%is e5cludes felonies arisin( durin( t%e commission of a murder. "%e causation limitation re$uires t%at t%e 2illin( 'e in furt%erance of t%e felony. "%e mere fact t%at a deat% occurs durin( t%e commission of a felony &ill not necessarily su'9ect t%e felon to felony M. "%e central issue is t%e foreseea'le ris2 of deat%. /n most 9urisdictions, no felony M if t%e *erson &%o commits t%e %omicide is a non:felon &%o is resistin( t%e felony. A fe& states a**ly a *ro5imate causation test &%ic% %olds a felon res*onsi'le for t%e 2illin( 'y a non:felon if t%e felon *ro5imately caused t%e deat% @ set in motion t%e events t%at lead to t%e deat%. Suicide ,5ce*tion : if t%e co:felon s%oots %imself, it is not %omicide at all, 'ut a suicide

MPC Does not distin(uis% felony murder, 'ut M.C raises a *resum*tion of Erec2lessness and indifference to %uman lifeF if t%e durin( t%e commission or attem*t of certain felonies. Co&ever, t%is is not a'solute, t%e *rosecution must still *rove it. "%e 9ury is sim*ly *ermitted to infer e5treme indifference to %uman life from t%e commission of t%e felony. may *resent evidence t%at t%e felony &as committed t%e in a manner t%at does not manifest e5treme indifference to %uman life. /t is u* to t%e 9ury to decide. "%erefore, (ross rec2lessness durin( a felony can 'e a *redicate for felony M.

DIFFERENCES Code does not %ave an e5*ress felony M rule. /f t%e felony is one of t%e enumerated felonies 7arson, 'ur(lary, ro''ery, or ra*e8, t%en t%is M is 0st de(ree. /f not, t%en it is 4nd de(ree.

4. MA!SLA AC",R
COMMON LAW Voluntary MS %omicide &it%out malice aforet%ou(%t 6Ceat of *assion6 : /ntentional 2illin( committed in res*onse to le(ally ade$uate *rovocation /m*erfect 9ustification A 2illin( t%at is t%e result of an act, la&ful in itself, 'ut done in an unla&ful manner. /nvoluntary MS unintended 2illin( Criminal !e(li(ence <illin( resultin( from (ross ne(li(ence. 7"%is &ould include M.C rec2lessness as &ell8 nla&ful Act EMisdemeanor manslau(%terF an unintentional 2illin( t%at occurs durin( t%e commission of an unla&ful act. /ncludes malum in se 7&ron( in itself8 felonies and misdemeanors. MPC Rec2less : unli2e rec2less M, %ere t%e conduct, alt%ou(% rec2less, does not manifest an e5treme indifference to t%e value of %uman life ,5treme Mental or ,motional Distur'ance 7,M,D8 DIFFERENCES

G. !,AL/A,!" COM/C/D,
COMMON LAW !one MPC A criminally ne(li(ent 2illin( DIFFERENCES ,$uivalent to involuntary MS under t%e Common La&

(I. DEFENSES
A. H S"/?/CA"/O! : conduct t%at is ot%er&ise criminal, 'ut t%at %ere is eit%er 6ri(%t6 or 6not &ron(6 under t%e circumstances.
0. S,L? D,?,!S,
COMMON LAW if not t%e a((ressor is 9ustified in usin( force if reasona'ly 'elieves it is necessary to defend 3s *erson must 'e t%reatened &it% a *%ysical %arm reasona'ly 'elieved t%e t%reatened %arm is unla&ful "%e force used must 'e *ro*ortional. Deadly force must additionally s%o& reasona'le 'elief is imminently facin( deadly force. %ad no o**ortunity to retreat 7Old common la& standard8 may al&ays use non:deadly force to *rotect oneself a(ainst an unla&ful a((ressor. MPC if not t%e a((ressor is 9ustified in usin( 7deadly8 force if %onestly 'elieves suc% force is immediately necessary to *rotect 3s *erson %arm is unla&ful Deadly force is 9ustified if one faces a t%reat of deat%, A+C, forci'le ra*e, or 2idna**in(. A t%reat &it%out t%at *ur*ose is not deadly force, even if a &ea*on 'ac2s u* t%e t%reat. /f 2no&@realiDes %e can 'e com*letely safe 'y retreatin( must if unla&fully starts a non:let%al conflict, %e does not lose %is *rivile(e DIFFERENCES M.C loo2s at t%e )s su'9ective 'elief, t%e 'elief need not 'e reasona'le. /f )s 'elief &as ne(li(ently or rec2lessly formed, one can 'e lia'le for rec2less or ne(li(ent use of deadly force M.C re*laces imminence &it% t%e *%rase 6immediately necessary6 so t%at one may use force sooner under t%an CL. M.C : deadly force is more 'road t%an CL one &%o acts &it% t%e *ur*ose causin( deat% or A+C $ualifies /n CL force not li2ely to cause deat% or A+C is not deadly

=%en is t%e a((ressor, %e loses %is ri(%t to use force. may *ur(e %imself of %is status as t%e a((ressor and re(ain %is ri(%t to self: defense 'y removin( %imself from t%e fray and successfully communicatin( t%at fact. /f , as t%e a((ressor uses non:deadly force, and victim res*onds &it% deadly force, may immediately re(ain %is ri(%t to self:defense. does not %ave to retreat &it%in )s o&n d&ellin( even if one could do so in com*lete safety.

of self:defense if V escalates it into a let%al assault. Retreat is re$uired &it%in one)s %ome or office if t%e actor &as t%e initial a((ressor and %e &is%es to re(ain %is ri(%t to self:defense or even if %e &as not t%e a((ressor no duty to retreat from %ome, even from a co:d&eller.

force even if it &as t%e )s *ur*ose to 2ill. M.C does not include t%e non: deadly a((ressor

4. !,C,SS/"#
COMMON LAW is 9ustified if %e reasona'ly 'elieves t%at %e is avoidin( t%e (reater evil. +alance of evils must 'e *ositive. "%ere must not 'e an alternative. "%e %arm must 'e imminent. may not %ave created t%e necessity. can never ta2e anot%er)s life out of necessity. se only a**lies &%en a natural force created t%e necessity. =%en t%e 'alance of evils is ne(ative, may 'e %eld strictly lia'le. MPC is not 9ustified unless not only reasona'ly 'elieve t%at is avoidin( t%e (reater %arm, 'ut is actually avoidin( t%e (reater %arm. +alance of evils must 'e *ositive. "%ere is no immediacy re$uirement a may not %ave intentionally caused t%e necessity. may ta2e a life if t%e 'alance of evils is *ositive. se may a**ly in %omicide cases "%is se a**lies 'ut not limited to emer(encies created 'y natural forces, nor is limited to *%ysical %arm to *ersons or *ro*erty. /f )s 'elief is mista2en, can 'e %eld for crime re$uirin( eit%er ne(li(ence or rec2lessness. /f ne(li(ently or rec2lessly caused t%e necessity, %e may 'e %eld for crimes of ne(li(ence and rec2lessness. . DIFFERENCES M.C re$uires t%at )s reasona'le 'elief actually 'e true. M.C does not %ave an immediacy re$uirement. M.C if caused it accidentally, %e can still claim necessity t%ou(% if %e rec2lessly or ne(li(ently created t%e necessity, %e may 'e %eld for crimes of rec2lessness and ne(li(ence. M.C allo&s se in cases &%ere a natural force did not create t%e necessity.

+. ,-C S, : &ron(ful conduct, 'ut under t%e circumstances, D is not morally cul*a'le or 'lame&ort%y
0. D R,SS
COMMON LAW may 'e e5cused if &as t%reatened &it% deat% or A+C 7or if a Grd *arty is so t%reatened8 'y anot%er %uman reasona'ly 'elieves t%at t%e t%reat is (enuine felt t%at t%e t%reat &as 6*resent, imminent, and im*endin(6 at t%e time of t%e act felt t%at t%e only &ay to avoid t%e %arm &as to (ive in to t%e t%reat &as not at fault in e5*osin( %imself to t%e MPC Duress is an affirmative defense to unla&ful conduct 'y if &as com*elled to commit t%e offense 'y t%e use or t%reatened use of force 'y t%e coercer u*on %er or anot%er A *erson of reasona'le firmness in )s situation &ould 7also8 %ave 'een una'le to resist t%e coercion. se is not availa'le if rec2lessly *laced %erself in t%e *osition &%ere s%e DIFFERENCES M.C a'andons t%e CL re$uirements of deadly force and immanency in favor of e5cusin( &%enever a *erson of reasona'le firmness &ould also %ave yielded to coercionB M.C se is one of (eneral a**lica'ility may 'e used in murder cases

t%reat. Duress is not a defense to an intentional 2illin(. Some states reco(niDe an im*erfect defense &%ere'y murder is reduced to manslau(%ter.

&ould li2ely 'e su'9ect to coercion. /f ne(li(ently *ut %erself into suc% a *osition, t%e se is availa'le to %er for all cases e5ce*t t%ose in &%ic% ne(li(ence suffices to esta'lis% cul*a'ility.

M.C does not re$uire t%at an im*eriled *arty 'e s relative. M.C similar to CL in t%at se is limited to t%reats or use of unla&ful force and does not a**ly to coercion 'y natural sources. M.C does not reco(niDe se &%en any interest ot%er t%an 'odily inte(rity is t%reatened.

4. /!SA!/"#
COMMON LAW M5Na +ten R!le is insane if, at t%e time of t%e criminal act, %e &as la'orin( under suc% a defect of reason, arisin( from a disease of t%e mind, t%at %e Did not 2no& t%e nature and $uality of t%e act %e &as doin(B or /f %e did 2no& it, if %e did not 2no& t%at &%at %e &as doin( &as &ron( 7i.e. %e did not 2no& t%e difference 'et&een ri(%t and &ron(8. I""esisti)le i.#!lse test : t%at states t%at &as insane if S%e acted from an irresisti'le and uncontrolla'le im*ulseB S%e lost t%e *o&er to c%oose 'et&een ri(%t and &ron( and to avoid doin( t%e act in $uestion, as t%at %er free a(ency &as at t%e time destroyedB or "%e )s &ill I %as 'een ot%er&ise t%an voluntarily so com*letely destroyed t%at %er actions are not su'9ect to it, 'ut are 'eyond %er control. P!"e co niti*e test concerned &it% )s a'ility to a**reciate t%e nature and $uality of %is conduct. /s t%e current la& MPC S!)stansial ca#acity: One is not res*onsi'le for %er criminal conduct if, at t%e time of t%e act, as a result of a mental disease or defect1 lac2ed su'stantial ca*acity to A**reciate t%e &ron(fulness@criminality of conduct or "o conform conduct to t%e re$uirements of t%e la& DIFFERENCES M.C incor*orates a revised version of t%e M)!a(%ten test + *ure co(nitive test.

C.

A,!,RAL
0. M/S"A<,
A. O? ?AC" COMMON LAW Must ne(ate mens rea of t%e crime c%ar(ed. . not (uilty if Mo? ne(ates t%e specific intent *ortion of t%e offense. ?or general intent offenses not (uilty if Mo? &as %onest and reasona'le. Auilty if Mo? &as %onest, 'ut unreasona'le Moral =ron( test /f (ranted Mo?, &ill %old for a %i(%er offense &%en &ere t%e situation as %e su**osed it to 'e, %is conduct constituted t%is lesser offense. MPC Must ne(ate t%e mental state re$uired to esta'lis% any element of t%e offense. Lo(ical Relevance "est : fi(ure out t%e mens rea for eac% and every element of t%e crime. /f (ranted Mo?, &ill %old for a lesser offense &%en &ere t%e situation as %e su**osed it to 'e, %is conduct constituted t%is lesser offense. DIFFERENCES steals diamonds 'elievin( t%ey3re (lass : M.C *etty larcenyB CL (rand larceny. steals (lass 'elievin( itJs diamonds, M.C *etty larceny and attem*ted (rand larceny and CL *etty larceny and attem*ted (rand larceny. M.C Loo2 at t%e &orld t%rou(% t%e 3s eyes in a factual

7not le(al8 manner M.C@CL : !o mista2es (et you off for strict lia'ility. +. O? LA= COMMON LAW !o defense, 'ut e5ce*tions. ,5ce*tions : mista2e must 'e reasona'le and %onest. Collateral La& Reliance on Official Statement !o reasona'le notification@*u'lis%in( S*ecification in Statute t%at 2no&led(e of la& is re$3d. MPC M.C does not reco(niDe a defense of mista2e of la& unless t%ere is e5*ress ne(ation S*ecification in Statute t%at 2no&led(e of la& is re$3d. Collateral La& Reliance on Official Statement !o reasona'le notification@*u'lis%in( DIFFERENCES CL and M.C a**roac%es are similar. /n (eneral, unless fallin( into a reco(niDed e5ce*tion, i(norance of t%e la& is no defense. M.C codifies t%e CL reasona'le reliance doctrine.

4. /M.OSS/+/L/"#
A. O? ?AC" COMMON LAW !oneB t%at is, t%e *erson &%o tries to s%oot someone &it% a &ater (un, t%in2in( it &as a real (un, &ould not %ave a defense of factual im*ossi'ility. /f t%e facts &ere as %e 'elieved t%em to 'e t%e victim &ould 'e dead. Some cases loo2 li2e factual im*ossi'ility 'ut are notB e5. man attem*ts to 2ill victim &it% voodoo doll. =%ile t%is is im*ossi'le, it is in%erently im*ossi'le, not *er se factually im*ossi'leB in t%e voodoo case t%e victim &ould still 'e alive if t%e facts &ere as %e su**osed t%em. +. O? LA= COMMON LAW Cannot *unis% for a crime t%at is not a crime. Cy'rid le(al im*ossi'ility : =%ere t%e actors (oal is ille(al 'ut im*ossi'le due to a factual mista2e of a le(al status of an attendant circumstance. ie. Man %as se5 &it% (irl t%in2in( s%e is 0K &%en s%e is really 0L. Some courts reco(niDe t%is se MPC Same as common la&. DIFFERENCES

MPC Same as common la&. !o Cy'rid le(al im*ossi'ility. 7M.C loo2s at mens rea8

DIFFERENCES