Criminal Law (JD Course)

Study content for Criminal Law (JD Course): notes, practice MCQs and flashcards across 7 syllabus topics. This is AI-generated draft content — citations have not yet been independently verified.

Syllabus

• Foundations of Criminal LiabilityTopic

  Actus reus and voluntary act requirement · Mens rea (purposely, knowingly, recklessly, negligently — MPC taxonomy) · Concurrence (temporal alignment of actus reus and mens rea)

• CausationTopic

  But-for (actual) causation · Proximate (legal) causation · Intervening and superseding causes

• HomicideTopic

  Common-law murder (malice aforethought: intent to kill, intent to cause GBH, depraved heart, felony murder) · Felony murder rule (inherently dangerous felonies, agency vs. proximate cause theories) · Voluntary manslaughter (provocation / heat of passion)

• Inchoate CrimesTopic

  Attempt (substantial step test MPC vs last-proximate-act CL; mens rea; abandonment) · Conspiracy (agreement + overt act; Pinkerton liability; scope of co-conspirator liability) · Solicitation (requesting another to commit crime; merger)

• Accomplice LiabilityTopic

  Principal vs accessory distinction (common law vs MPC) · Aiding and abetting (act + mens rea) · Mere presence doctrine

• DefencesTopic

  Insanity (M'Naghten; irresistible impulse; MPC substantial capacity; Durham rule) · Self-defence (imminence, proportionality, castle doctrine, stand your ground) · Duress

• Specific Crimes (beyond homicide)Topic

  Theft offences (larceny, embezzlement, false pretences, robbery, extortion) · Burglary (common law vs modern) · Rape and sexual assault (actus reus, consent, mens rea evolution)

• Robinson v. California

  What is the actus reus requirement in criminal law?

  370 U.S. 660
• MPC § 2.02

  Define mens rea under the Model Penal Code.

  Model Penal Code
• Kissinger v. Harte-Hanks Communications, Inc.

  What is the concurrence requirement?

  594 U.S. 682