Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
1
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Criminal Law CHAPTER 3
2
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Laws maintain order in society. Laws regulate human interaction. Laws enforce moral beliefs. Laws define the economic environment. Laws enhance predictability. Laws support the powerful. What Do Laws Do?
3
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Laws promote orderly social change. Laws sustain individual rights. Laws redress wrongs. Laws identify wrongdoers. Laws mandate punishment and retribution. What Do Laws Do?
4
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Laws channel human behavior while they simultaneously constrain it, and they empower individuals while contributing to public order. What Do Laws Do?
5
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 The rule of law holds that an orderly society must be governed by established principles and known codes that are applied uniformly and fairly to all of its members. The Rule of Law A cornerstone of our Western way of life.
6
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Sources of Law
7
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Development of Law U.S. Constitution Declaration of Independence Statutes Case law Common law Modern Sources of American Law
8
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 English Common Law: …an unwritten body of early judicial opinion developed by English courts. English common law originated from usage and custom rather than from written statutes.
9
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 English Common Law: English common law is based on non-statutory customs, traditions and precedents.
10
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 U.S. Constitution It is the final authority in all questions pertaining to the rights of individuals, power of the federal government and the states to create laws.
11
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Types of Law criminal law civil law administrative law case law procedural law
12
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Crimes injure not just individuals, but society as a whole. Criminal Law
13
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Criminal Law: …a branch of modern law that concerns itself with offenses committed against society, its members, their property, and the social order. Another term for criminal law is penal law.
14
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Civil Law: … that branch of modern law that governs relationships between parties. An individual is the plaintiff. A violation of this law is often called a tort. Civil law includes breaches of contract, contested will, trusts, etc. The result is often only loss of money.
15
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Administrative Law Rulings are made by government agencies. This type of law is not usually directed at criminal violations. Regulatory boards are given authority to make rules and to set standards.
16
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Case Law: … the body of judicial precedent that is historically built upon legal reasoning and past interpretations of statutory laws. Case law serves as a guide to decision making, especially in the courts.
17
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Case Law: Stare Decisis … a legal principle that requires that in subsequent cases on similar issues of law and fact, courts be bound by their own earlier decisions and by those of higher courts having jurisdiction over them.
18
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Procedural Law: … the body of rules that regulates the processing of an offender by the criminal justice system. It includes general rules of evidence, search and seizure, and procedures following an arrest.
19
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Elements of a Crime
20
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Categories of Crimes felonies misdemeanors offenses treason & espionage inchoate offenses
21
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Felony: … a serious crime that is punishable by a year or more in prison or by death. Fines may be levied.
22
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Misdemeanor: … an offense punishable by incarceration, usually in a local confinement facility, for a period whose upper limit is prescribed by statute in a given jurisdiction; typically limited to a year or less.
23
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Misdemeanor Less serious than a felony. Usually punishable by up to a year in a county jail (some states allow sentences for misdemeanors of up to two years). Fines can also be levied.
24
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Treason: “… a U.S. citizen’s action to help a foreign government overthrow, make war against, or seriously injure the United States.” Also, the attempt to overthrow the government of the society of which one is a member. It’s the only crime specifically mentioned in the United States Constitution.
25
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Inchoate Offenses: … an offense not yet completed. An offense that consists of an action or conduct that is a step toward the intended commission of another offense.
26
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Features of all Crime actus reus mens reus concurrence of actus rea and mens rea
27
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Actus Reus: … “the guilty act.” Thoughts alone are not sufficient to constitute a crime. In some instances, speech can constitute a crime even though there is no specific physical action (i.e. yelling fire in a crowded theater when there is no fire)
28
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Mens Rea: … “guilty mind.” Intent to commit a crime Based on assumption that people have the ability to make reasonable decisions about right and wrong.
29
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Concurrence: … a guilty mind and guilty act must occur together to be able to obtain a conviction.
30
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Strict Liability Occurs where a guilty mind is not required. purpose - To protect the public. Some examples include: traffic laws narcotics laws health and safety regulations Also called absolute liability offenses
31
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Other Features of a Crime Causation Resulting harm Legality principle Punishment principle Necessary attendant circumstances
32
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 The elements of a specific crime are different than the general features shared by all crimes. Elements of a Specific Crime
33
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 These are the essential features of a given crime, as specified by law or statute. Example: First-degree murder requires 1.an unlawful killing 2.of a human being 3.intentionally 4.by another person 5.with malice Elements of a Specific Crime
34
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Legal Defenses alibi justifications excuses procedural defenses
35
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Alibi: … a statement or contention by an individual charged with a crime that he or she was so distant when the crime was committed, or so engaged in other provable activities, that his/her participation in the commission of that crime was impossible.
36
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Justification: … defendant admits that he committed the offense, however, he believes that he should not be held criminally responsible because he had a legally sufficient justification for his actions.
37
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Types of Justifications self defense defense of others defense of home or property necessity consent resisting unlawful arrest
38
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 retreat rule - If the opportunity to escape exists, then the courts require that the victim take that opportunity and flee. Justification: Self Defense
39
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 If the opportunity to flee does not exist, then the victim can use proportionate force to defend herself. Justification: Self Defense
40
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 You have the option of defending another if the person you are defending is a victim and is free from fault. Justification: Defense of Others
41
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Defense of others does NOT include entering an illegal fight to help a family member or friend. Justification: Defense of Others
42
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Most jurisdictions allow for the defense of property. The use of deadly force is not allowed when it comes to the defense of property. Justification: Defense of Home & Property
43
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 One can sometimes violate the law when the purpose of the action is to prevent even greater harm. Justification: Necessity
44
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Courts have a difficult time with this defense, especially when it results in a person’s death. Justification: Necessity
45
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 If harm comes to an individual after he agreed to participate in the activity, then the question that is raised is this: Was a crime committed if the victim gave his consent? Justification: Consent
46
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 A person has the right to resist arrest if the arrest is unlawful. Justification: Resisting Unlawful Arrest
47
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Legal Excuses
48
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Some particular personal condition was occurring at the time, such that the defendant should not be held responsible. Judges and jurors must decide if harm committed outweighed the coercive influence. Excuse
49
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Sometimes called “coercion.” Duress is an unlawful threat that induces a person to act in a way they normally would not act. Often not a useful defense when serious physical harm ensues. Excuse: Duress
50
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Excuse: Age Generally, children under age 7 are not able to reason or form intent. Hence, children under 7 cannot be charged with a criminal offense. Persons above age 7 but below 18 are typically charged as juveniles. Persons over 18 are charged as adults.
51
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Excuse: Mistake mistake of law: Ignorance of the law is usually no excuse. mistake of fact: Understanding of facts is incorrect. (May be an excuse)
52
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Excuse: Involuntary Intoxication Drugs or alcohol may produce intoxication. People can be “tricked” into consuming alcohol or drugs. Can be used as a defense.
53
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Excuse: Unconsciousness A person cannot be held responsible for anything he does while unconscious. Examples: Sleepwalking Epileptic seizures Neurological dysfunction
54
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Excuse: Provocation It’s more acceptable in minor offenses. It’s sometimes used in cases where a wife kills her husband or a child kills her father after claiming years of abuse.
55
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 M’Naghten rule irresistible impulse Durham rule substantial capacity test Brawner rule guilty, but insane temporary insanity diminished capacity Excuse: Insanity Legal definition of insanity, not a psychiatric one:
56
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Excuse: M’Naughten Rule … a person is not guilty of a crime if, at the time of the event, they either did not know what they were doing, or did not know that what they were doing was wrong.
57
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Excuse: Irresistible Impulse … defendant knows what he is doing and knows that it is wrong, but cannot help himself. 18 states follow this rule.
58
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Excuse: Durham Rule created 1871 by New Hampshire Court adopted by Washington D.C. judge who made rule famous (1952)
59
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Excuse: Durham Rule … a person is not criminally responsible for their behavior if their illegal action was the result of some mental disease or defect.
60
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Excuse: Brawner Rule The rule was created in 1972 by same Washington, D.C., judge who created the Durham Rule. It places responsibility for deciding insanity squarely on the shoulders of the jury. The jury decides if a defendant can be justly held responsible for a criminal act.
61
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Excuse: Guilty but Insane This excuse is possible in 11 states. The jury must return a finding of “guilty but mentally unfit if: 1.Every element necessary for a conviction has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt;A 2.Defendant is found mentally ill at time of offense; and 3.Defendant is found NOT to have been legally insane at time crime was committed.
62
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Procedural Defenses entrapment double jeopardy collateral estoppel selective prosecution
63
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Procedural Defenses denial of a speedy trial prosecutorial misconduct police fraud
64
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A Brief Introduction, 5/E by Frank Schmalleger ©2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 Innovative Defenses Abuse defense Premenstrual syndrome Other biological defenses Black rage Urban survival syndrome Cultural defenses Political defenses
Similar presentations
© 2024 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.