GW Crim Law Short 8PG Outline

ShortOutlineV2
Prof. Cottrol 2009
TEXT: Saltzburg, 3rd ed. 2008

ActusReus
Rule: Adefendantcannotbecommittedofacrimeunlesshecommittedavoluntaryact(deliberate,willed).
Ifadefendantdoesnothaveconsciouscontroloverhisactions,theactionsareinvoluntary
Examples:
Peoplev.Newton (flightdivertedtoNY,notguiltyforbringingguntoNYb/cinvoluntary)
Sleepwalking,seizures,reflex,courtssplitonhypnosis
Actsbyothersontoyou(ApushesBintoC)
Counterexamples:
Ahasseizuresregularlyandvoluntarilydroveacar,killing4people;A'sseizureisnotvoluntarybutearlyact
ofgettingintothecaris
Decisionsmadeunderagreatdealofpressurearestillvoluntary
Anomission maysatisfyactusreusiftheactorfailstoactwhenthereislegalobligation
Relationship(parent)
Statute(doctortoreportchildabuse)
Contracttoprovidecare(nursinghome)
Voluntaryassumptionofcarethatisolatestheindividual(takingVintoyourhouse)
Creationofperil(ifyoupushsomebodywhocannotswimintoapool)
Involuntaryintoxication isacompletedefense
Voluntaryintoxication satisfiesactusreusbutthereismensreadefense(nospecificintent),thoughnotagood
defense
MensRea
Traditionalmensrea=Dhasviciouswillandismorallyblameworthy
Statutorymensrea =Dintendeddidtheconductregardlessofmoralblame
Distinguishintentfrommotive
Examples:
Joekillshiswifeinanactofeuthanasia,stillmurderbecausemotive isirrelevant,heintendedtokillhiswife
Intent
Rule: Generalintentismetiftheactorintendedtobringabouttheactusreus,withoutintendinganyspecific
result
Rule: SpecificintentismetiftheactorintendedtobringabouttheactusreusANDthespecificresult
Examples:
Larcenyisaspecificintentcrime,negligenthomicideisageneralintentcrime
Assaultisageneralintentcrime,assaultwithintenttorapeisaspecificcrime
Breakingandenteringisageneralintentcrime,breakingandenteringwithintenttocommitfelonytherein
isspecificintentcrime
Burningdownyourhouseisageneralintentcrime,burningdownyourhousewithintenttoobtain
insuranceisaspecificintentcrime
Intentistransferrable,whetheraccidentalorthroughmistakenidentity
Adefendantisactingrecklessly ifherecognizesadangerousriskbutstillmakesaconsciousdecisiontoignoreit

Concurrence
Rule: Theremustbeconcurrencebetweenmensreaandactusreus(mentalstatemustcausetheact)
Examples:
Notbatteryifyouaccidentlyhitsomeoneandthensecretlyrejoice
Notburglaryifyouenterinthehomewithinnocentintentionandthenstealsomething
Notreceivingstolenpropertyifyoudidn'tknowitwasstolen
NotguiltyformurderifyouwantVdodie,onwaytogunstoreyouaccidentlyrunoverV
Guiltyifyoudotheactofchoosingnottosleepwhenyouaretired,resultingindeath

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Causation
Rule: Toconvictadefendant,theprosecutionneedstoestablishthedefendant'sconductwastheactualand
legalcauseoftheharmfulresult.
Iftheharmfulresultcouldnothaveoccurredbutfor D'sconduct,itistheactual orcauseinfact oftheresult
Iftheharmfulresultwasintendedorreasonablyforeseeable andnottooremoteoraccidental,itisthelegal or
proximatecause oftheresult
Examples:
AhasaminutetoliveandBendsherlife,stillismurder(butfor B,victimwouldhavelived1moreminute)
Multiple causesdoesn'tmatter,aslongasDisoneofthecauseinfactsorsubstantialfactor
Notproximatecauseifthevictimdiesayear and2daysafterdefendantsharmfulact
Adependent interveningeventkeepsthecausationchainopen
Examples:
DguiltywhenVthrownnakedintosubzerotemperatureb/cdeathisforeseeable,notthemannerofdeath
Injurywhileescapingisaforeseeableb/citisaresponsetodangercreated
Preexistingconditionsareforeseeable("takethevictimasyoufindher")
Normalnegligentmedicalcare isforeseeable
Vsuicide doesnotbreakchaineitherb/csuicidecausedbyD(shecouldnotmakerationaledecisionsand
herbecomingirresponsiblewasaprobableresultofD'sconduct)
Defenseisgoingtoarguethatcriminalactsareneverforeseeable,you'renotrequiredtoforesee
criminalacts(lawpresumesthatpeopledon'tnormallyactcriminally),andb/csuicideissacriminal
act,soitisnotforeseeable
3rdparty'sfailuretoact doesnotbreakchain(AsetsbombtokillB,callsXtodisarmit,Xdoesn'tdoit,B
getsblownup,Aguilty)
Anindependent interveningeventbreaksthecausationchain
Examples:
Grosslynegligent andrecklessmedicalcarebreaksthechainb/citisunforeseeable
Irresponsibleorunforeseeablehumanactions (suicidebyapersonwhohasbeenswindled)
StrictLiability
TheMPCgenerallyrejectsstrictliabilityincriminalcases
Unlessprosecutioncanproveatleastsomemensreawithregardtoeveryelementofthecrime,nopenalty
ofimprisonmentisallowedunderMPC
Strictliabilityappliesmostlyinpublicwelfareissues
Vicessuchasgambling,drinking
Statutoryrapecases
Adulteratedfood
Mislabeleddrugs

Assault,Battery,Mayhem,Arson,ReceivingStolenProperty
Assault:Dattemptstocommitabatteryorplacesanotherinfearofimminentinjury
Battery:DcausesbodilyinjuryoroffensivetouchingbyD(intentionalorrecklessly)
Mayhem:DintentionallymaimsorpermanentlydisablesV
Arson:maliciousburningofthedwellingofanother
ReceivingStolenProperty:receivestolenpropertywithknowledgeitisstolenwithintenttodepriveowner
Kidnapping:theunlawfulconfinementofanother,byeitheramovingofthevictimorasecretingofhim

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1stDegree/IntentionalMurder:
Rule: Adefendantisguiltyof1stdegreemurderifheintendedtokillorseriouslyinjury(orsubstantiallycertain)a
person,/actedouthisintent,/andtheactcauses(factualandlegal)/deathofaperson
CommonLaw: Intentionalunlawfulkillingofhumanbeingwithmaliceaforethought(premeditationand
deliberation:(1)plannedactivity,(2)motive,(3)mannerofkilling,Peoplev.Anderson)
MPC definesdefendantsas"deatheligible"iftheycausethedeathofanotherhuman(1)purposely,(2)
knowingly,or(3)recklesslydemonstratingextremeindifferencetothevalueofhumanlife
Examples:
Defendantthoughtaboutkillinghiswifefor1second,thenhitherintheheadwithagolfclub intentional
murderbecause1secondislongenoughtodevelopmensrea
Thedefendantmustknowheiskillingahumanbeing inordertosatisfymensrea
Assistedsuicideisstillmurderbecausemotiveisirrelevant
2ndDegreeMurder/DepravedHeart/ExtremeIndifferenceMurder
Rule: Adefendantisguiltyof2nddegreemurderifhecommitsanactwithextremerecklessness/under
circumstancesevincingdepravedindifferencetothevalueofhumanlife/whichcauses/thedeathofahuman
Examples:
Russianroulette
Ashootsintoanoccupiedcar,train,busandBdies
AsetsazoolionfreetoscareaSundaycrowd,Bdies
Courtsspitastoawareness,MPCrequires"consciouslydisregardingasubstantialandunjustifiablerisk"
FelonyMurder
Policy: inherentdangerofviolentfeloniessuggestsanintenttocauseorriskseriousharmandthus,all
perpetratorsshouldbeheldaccountablefortheoutcomesoftheiracts;criticizedasunjust
Rule: Adefendantcanbechargedwithfelonymurderifhekills(evenaccidently)intheprocess(orasa
consequence)ofcertainfelonies:Arson/Burglary/Kidnap/Rape/Robbery
Nointent tokillrequired
Causation isstillarequirementoffelonymurder;foraconvictionunderfelonymurder,thedeathmusthave
beena"naturalandprobableconsequence"
Example:ArapesBsoseverelythatBcommitssuicide,Acanbeconvicted
Example: AtiesBupinbankrobbery,Aleavesthebank,Bdiesofaheartattackwhiletryingtogetfree,A
canbeconvicted
TheMPCandsomecourtsmayalsoapplyfelonymurdertoanyinherentlydangerous crime
Ifthereare2peopleinrobberyandonly1kills,botharechargedwith1stdegreemurderifthekillingwasinthe
furtherance ofthefelonyANDnaturalandprobableresult ofthefelony
Rule: TheAgencyDoctrine (majority)statesthatifavictimor3rdpartykillsduringthecommissionofafelony,
thereisnofelonymurder,only"agentsofthecrime"cancommitfelonymurder
Shieldcases aretheexceptionandalwaysfelonymurder
Rule: TheProximity Doctrine (minority)willholdadefendantliableforanydeathintheproximityofthefelony
Whenthefelonycomestorest,thechainofeventsisbrokenbecausethefelonyisover
MergerDoctrine statethatadefendantcannotbeconvictedoffelonymurderbasedonpersonalinjuryfelonies
Becausethenallfatalshootingsbecomefelonymurdersbasedoffofaggravatedbatteryinsteadof
manslaughter
Thebestdefensetofelonymurderistoattackthepredicatefelony
VoluntaryManslaughter
Rule: Adefendantcanbeconvictedofvoluntarymanslaughterifhekillsanotherhumanbeingdeliberatelybut
thekillingwasunplanned.
Rule: Adefendantcanbeconvictedofvoluntarymanslaughterfora"suddenheatofpassion"killing,ifheacted
withlegallyadequateprovocation(reasonableman),/thatactuallyinfactenragedthedefendant,/andthat
therewasinsufficienttimetocooloffbetweentheprovocationandkilling.
Policy: "thelifeoflawhasnotbeenlogic,ithasbeenexperience" JusticeHolmes/"frailtyofmankind"/no
mensreawheninafrenzy
Examples:
Caughtwifeintheactmadedefendantlosehissenses
Provokedbymutualcombatwhenneitherisanaggressor

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Provokedbyillegalarrestoraggravatedassault
Objective perage&background,butspecialphysicalormentalissuesnotconsidered
Words alonewillnotsuffice
UnderMPC,wordsconveyinginformationmaybeOK(wifetellsyoushe'sbeenfuckingsomeotherdude)
Ifthedefendanthasactuallycooledoff,hecannotbeconvictedwithvoluntarymanslaughter
Reasonablemistakeisallowedtomitigate1stdegreemurdertovoluntarymanslaughter
Provocationcanbetransferred withmistakes,butnotwhenintentionallystrikingoutata3rdparty
TheMPCasksifthedefendantwasactingunderextremementaloremotionaldisturbance
Alsoapplicablein"imperfect"selfdefensecases(unreasonablemistake),"imperfect"defensesofnecessity

InvoluntaryManslaughter
Rule: Apersonwhosebehavioris"merely"grosslyreckless,butnotasresultofdepravedmind,maybeliablefor
involuntarymanslaughterifhisconductresultsintheaccidental deathofanotherandMPCrequireshewas
aware ofthedanger(consciouslydisregard).
Examples:
Sellingsternotopeopleheknewweredrinkingit
Drivingdrunkoroverwayoverspeedlimit
Counterexample:
Xgoeshunting,doesn'tknowabouthousingwhereheisaimingandkillsY,notguiltyb/cnoawareness
Policy: Commonwealthv.Welansky (Heisordinarycitizen,eventhoughhedidwrong,hehasanexplanationfor
hisidiocy;seemslikeareasonablepersonthatsomeverybadluckhasfallen,ratherthanadepravedheart
murderer)
Rape
CommonLawRule: Rapeisdefinedasthesexualintercourse/withawomannothiswife/usingphysicalforce
orthreatofforce/withoutherconsent.
MensRea:
defendantintentionally hadintercoursewithawoman/heknew notbehiswife/ANDintentionallyused
forceorthreatenedseriousharm/ANDintentionally ignoredherlackofconsent
1976Morgan casecontroversial soinReynoldsv.State, courtschangetogeneralintentcrime,where themens
reaistheintendedorrecklesscommissionofthe actusreus whichisjusthavingsex,somistakeaboutconsent
isirrelevant(butseebelow)
ModernRapeStatutes:
a. Obtainingsexualintimacywithanother
b. ByforceorthreatofforceORwithoutlegallyeffectiveconsentduetoincapacity
c. Onlysome statesincludeconsentasthe3rdelement
Examples:
Force mustbephysicalforcetosubdueorcausedeath/seriousbodilyinjury(justremovingclothesinlocked
dormroomdoesnotamounttoforciblecompulsion)
Threats mustbeimminentthreatsofphysicalharmtothevictimor3rdpersonthatissufficienttocreate
fearinareasonableperson
Threatofnonphysical harmusuallydonotamounttorape,perhapsextortion
Verbalresistance isrequiredbymoststatesandphysicalresistance isalsorequiredbyabouthalfthestates
Consent canbeusedasamistakedefense butthedefendantmustprovehehonestlyandreasonably
believedvictimhadconsented
IfDknowsorshouldhaveknownVisincapableofgivinglegallyeffectiveconsent,heisguiltyofrape
Unconscious,mentallyincompetent,orchildrenunder10israpeb/cthisgroupcouldnotgiveconsent
Foradaterape conviction,thevictimmustbe"helpless"orunconsciousfrominvoluntaryintoxication,not
justreallydrunkandregretsitthenextmorning
Deception isnotrape,becauseofpublicpolicy,deceptioniswhatmendo!
Fraud isnotrapeifsheunderstoodshewashavingsex(i.e.mistakingidentity)
Fraudinthefactum isrape(doctorpretendingtoinsertmedicalinstrumentinsteadinsertspenis)
Spousalimmunityexistsinsomestates
StatutoryRape:
Statescarelesswhentheagedifferenceisminimal(Romeo&JulietLaws)
MPCsaysreasonablemistakedefenseisokatupperlimitsofagebutnotOKatlowerlimits

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DeterminingTheftCrimes
1. Victimintendtogivetitle?Oronlypossession?
a. title=falsepretenses
b. possession=larcenyorembezzlement
2. Defendantcomeintopropertylawfully(usuallybyconsent)?
a. Lawfully=embezzlement
b. Unlawful=larceny
c. Iflawfulconsentobtainedbydeceit,itcouldbelarcenybytrick
3. Nowexploreintricaciesoftheoffenseitcouldbe
Larceny
Rule: Atresspassory/takingandasportation/ofthepersonalproperty/ofanother/withtheintenttodeprive
himofit/permanently(orforalongperiodoftime)
Trespass
Unlawfulpossessionofproperty(actusreus)
Lawfulpossession(deliveryboy)canturnintounlawfulpossessionbecausethedeliveryboyhastemporary
custody,notpermanentpossession
AsportationandTaking
Asportationiswhenaobjecthasbeenphysicallymoved
Innocentpartiescanbe"agents"inasportation
Takingrequires"caption",orthecontrolanddominion overproperty
Statev.Carswell (defendantpickingtheairconditionerupfromitsstandandlayingitonthefloorqualifies
asseveringitfromtheowner'spossessionandplacingunderD'scontrol)
Movingachainedobjectmybeasportationbutnottaking
PersonalProperty
Larcenyisnotconcernedwith"realproperty",onlytangibleproperty
Fixturesonland=realproperty
Electricity&gas=larceny
Theftofideasandservices=/=larceny
Wildanimalsordogs=/=personalproperty
OfAnother
Larcenyisacrimeagainstpossession notownership
Possibletostealyourownproperty(somebodyholdingyourstuffforalien)
Stealingstolenitemsfromthepossessionofathief=larceny
WithIntenttoDeprive
Todepriveanotherpermanently(mensrea =isanimusfurandi,theintentnottoreturntheitem)
Honest,evenunreasonable,"claimsofright" (Iownit,nooneownsit,Ihavepermission)negatesanimus
furandi
Didn'tknowpropertywasstolen=notreceivingstolenproperty
Permanently
Borrowing orintenttoreturnisdefensetolarceny
i.e.Tomremovespaintingstouseascollateralandplansonreturningthem
Defendantsoffertopay foritbeforecharged,seeMasonv.State (stolenbeer)
Finders
Notlarcenyunlessfinderintendedtokeepitwhenhefounditandhasareasonablebelieftheownercanbe
found(nametag,aspecialarrangement,anythingidentifiable)
Larcenybytrick example:defendantrentsacarwithintenttostealitanddoesso

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Embezzlement
Rule: Afraudulent/conversion/ofpropertyofanother/byonewhoisalreadyinlawfulpossessionofit
Fraud=specificintentcrimeattimeofconversion
Example:DworksforV,whoallowsDtousetools,thenDquitsandleaveswithtools guiltyoflarceny,not
embezzlementb/catthetimehetooktoolshewasnotinlawfulpossessionanymore
Larcenybytrick iswherethedefendantintendedallalongtosteal,embezzlementiswheretheideaisdeveloped
afterlawfulpossession

FalsePretenses
Rule: Afalserepresentation/ofamaterialpresentorpastfact,/whichthedefendantknowstobefalse/and
whichheintendsto,/anddoescausethevictim,/topasstitleinreliance/ofhisproperty
Misrepresentationoractiveconcealment,notsimplyafailuretodisclose(unlessthereisduty)
Presentorpasteventsonly,n/atofuturepromises
Mensrea =thedefendantmustknowtherepresentationisfalseandhas specificintenttodefraud
Opinions orpuffing=/=falsepretenses,especiallyaboutthevalueofanitem
Robbery
Rule: Larcenyinthepresenceorhomeofthepersonorowner,/through violence ORintimidation(evenatoy)
Anhonest,evenunreasonablebeliefin righttomoney isadefensetotheftbutnotrobbery
Statev.Mejia (claimofright=/=adefensetotherobbery,butallowedtomitigatepenalty)
Someforceintheft maynotelevatethefttorobbery,butmaybe assault,(ex:handbagsnatching)
Threat =apprehensionorfearthatforcewouldbeusedimmediately
Threatsoffutureviolence=/=robbery
Personthreateneddoesnotneedtobepropertyowner
NotnecessaryforVtobeactuallyfrightened, thefocusisonthedefendant'sintenttoputthevictimin
immediatefear

Burglary
Rule: breaking&entering/toadwellingofanother/atnight/withintenttocommitANYfelonytherein
Modernstatuteseliminatenightandincludebusinesses
Example: DbreaksandentersintoV'shomewithintenttomurderV,guiltyforburglarytoo

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SelfDefense
Rule: Anactorhastherighttodefendhimselfagainstthethreatof/imminentunlawful (orunprivileged)force/
orseriousbodilyharm/towhichthereare,orappeartobe,noavailablealternatives(i.e.retreat),excepttouse
reasonableforce
Courtrejects"batteredwivessyndrome"becauseno imminentfearattimeofkilling
Somecourtsalsorequirethedefendantdidnotbringsituation
Noretreatrequired(majority);castledoctrine acceptedbyallstates
Ifavictimescalatesthelevelofforce,thedefendantcanrespondwithreasonableleveltoV'sforce
Objective,butcourtstakeintoaccountofcircumstances,suchasrelativesizeofDandV
Peoplev.Goetz (usingan"subjectivized"objectivereasonablePOV,consideringDsbackgroundis
acceptable;Goetzhadbeenrobbedbefore)
AdefendantcanuseselfdefenseONLYifthemistakeisreasonable (reasonable=sober)
Example: Dkillsapoliceofficerb/chereasonablybelievedofficerwasdangerousintruder
Ifthedefendantannounceswithdrawal ORremoveshimselffromimmediatearea,thevictimlosesrighttoself
defense
Defenseofothers butonlytothesameextentasprotectingoneself,MPCallowsforreasonablemistake
Injuryto3rdpartybystanders:defendantnotliableforreasonableaccidentalinjuriesto3rdparties,butmaybe
liableiftheselfdefensewasconductedinrecklessornegligentmanner

Necessity
Rule: Athreatof/imminentinjurytopersonorproperty/bynonhumanevents/forwhichthereareno
reasonablealternativestocommittingthecrime./D'sactsorattemptsmustpreventangreaterharm./Dmust
nothavecreatedthedilemma.
Necessityisachoiceofevils claim,i.e.burndownahousetosavethevillage
Notrequiredthreatofdeathorthreattoonlypeople(savetheMonaLisa)
Notadefensetohomicideundercommonlaw,seeTheQueenv.Dudley&Stephens

Mistake
Rule: Theignoranceormistakeoflawisneveravaliddefense
Rule: Ahonestreasonableorunreasonablemistakeoffactmaynegateliability(exceptinstrictliability)
Examples:
Arthurhasbeen(incorrectly)toldbyhisattorneythathecandumpthematerialinthebay,heisguilty
Angelicathinkswhitepowderinhervialissaltandit'sreallycocaine,sheisnotguilty,see(Dcouldnotform
thecriminalintentb/cofmistakeoffact)
Itisnotlarcenytotakeacaryouhonestlybelieveisyours
SpecificIntent OnlyGeneralIntent
ReasonableMistakeofLaw

Exonerates

Guilty

UnreasonableMistakeofLaw Exonerates

Guilty

ReasonableMistakeofFact

Exonerates

Exonerates

UnreasonableMistakeofFact Exonerates

Guilty

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Duress
Rule: Awellfounded(reasonablebyobjectivestandard)fear,generatedby/animmediatethreat/toserious
bodilyharmordeath/tohimself(ornearrelative)/notofhisowndoing(Dcannotberesponsibleforthe
threat),mayexcuseadefendantbyreasonofduress.
Notadefensetohomicideundercommonlaw;Disrequiredtosacrificehimself
MPCadds"reasonableinD'ssituation"(allowingD'scircumstances,i.e.hemophiliac)
MPCallowsduressdefenseinhomicide
MPChasnorequirementthepersonthreatenedisarelative,evenastrangerwillsuffice
Entrapment
PredispositionTest(majority): Entrapmentisadefenseifthedefendantisaninnocentpersononewhoisnot
predisposed tocommittingthecrime),andthegovernmentoriginates thecrimeandinduces itscommission
Example: FBItellsDbutneversuggestsDdothecrime,Dcannotuseentrapmentdefense
Outrageousnessofofficer'sconductisminorityrule
Insanity
Policy: punishingsomeonewhounabletounderstandispointlessandcruel
M'NaghtenTest: acriminalDcannotbeconvictedif,asaresultofmentalillnessattimeofcrime,hedidnot
understandthenatureandqualitytohisactORthathisactwaswrong
Example:DpushesVdownstairsb/chebelievesVisbuildingstardestroyer guiltyifheknewpushingwould
serioushurtV,wasillegal,andkillingherwaswrong
MPCTest: apersonisnotresponsibleforcrimeifatthetimeofcrime,asaresultofmentaldiseaseordefect,he
lackssubstantialcapacityeithertoappreciatethewrongfulnessofhisconductORtoconformhisconducttothe
requirementsofthelaw
MPCdoesnotrequiretotalimpairment,substantialisOK
MPCacceptsthatsomementallyillknowtheirbehavioriswrongbutstillcannotcontrolit
IrresistibleImpulseTest: unabletocontrolhisconduct
WhathappensafteraDisacquittedbyreasonofinsanity?
1. ConstitutionallyOKforgovernmenttocommitinsanecriminals
2. Indefinitecommitmentbasedononlythepreponderanceofevidence isconstitutionalb/cDhimself
advancedandprovedhisown insanitydefense
3. DueprocessisnotviolatedbykeepingDhospitalizedforlongerthanhecouldhavebeenincarceratedif
convicted;dueprocessonlyassuresapersoniscommitted(andduration)forlegitreasonsandDisstill
foundtobeadangertohimselfandsociety
Intoxication
Involuntaryintoxicationisacompletedefense
Voluntaryintoxicationsatisfiesactusreusbutthereismensreadefense(nospecificintent),thoughnotagood
defense
Defendantisnotguiltyofburglaryifhebreaksinwhenheisdrunk(nointenttocommitfelonyinside)
Voluntaryintoxicationdoesnegaterecklessness,thedefendantwasrecklessingettingdrunk
Consent
Avictimgenerallycannotconsenttoacrime(exceptrape,orpartofaboxingmatch)
Incapacityorfraudnegatesvalidconsent

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