I.

II.

III.

IV.

Intro
A. TheoriesofPunishment,PresumptionandBurdens
B. Legality&StatutoryInterpretation
1. Plainmeaning[analyzelanguage]
2. Canonsofconstruction[reviewstructure;avoidabsurdity]
3. LegislativeIntent[keepinconsideration]
C. Legality,VaguenessandCriminalStatutes
1. RuleofLenity:Ifthecourtcannotclarifythevaguenessina
statuteorthestatutecanbereadtosupportordefeatindictment,
ruleoflenitymustresolvetheambiguity.USv.Dauray
(Picturesofminorscutefrommagazine).[resolvetheageand
disabilityissuethroughthisanalysis]
ConstitutionalLimits
A. 14thAmendmentDueProcess
1. Voidforvagueness:Statutemustdefinethecriminaloffense1)
w/sufficientparticularitythatgivesfairnoticetoaverageperson
ofreasonableintelligencewhatconductisprohibitedsonotto
criminalizetypicallyinnocentbehaviorand2)notallow
unfetteredarbitraryanddiscriminatorypolicediscretion.
Kolender(PeopleloiteringmustshowIDsinSanDiego).
Papachristou(Jacksonvillevagrancylaw).Morales(Gang
membersprohibitedfromloitering).
th
B. 8 Amendment
1. DeathPenalty
2. Punishmentotherthandeath
1. Proportionality[maxsentencewas3/5years]
C. 14thAmendmentEqualProtection
ActusReus
A. Intro
B. Actusreusandstatutoryinterpretation
1. Nothoughtcrimes
2. Voluntariness&Statuscrimes
3. Nopunishmentifactionwascompelledorcommittedbythe
govt.Martin(Dwasdrunkandbroughttoapublicplacebythe
police).[reviewtheexactrule.HeretheharmwascausedbyD,
thepolice,thedriver,andthe2nddriver]
4. Omissions
5. Dutytoactandgoodsamaritans
MensRea
A. Intro
B. Mensreaandstatutoryinterpretation
C. Intentdoctrine
1. Intentandknowledge:
1. Naturalandprobableconsequence]

V.

VI.

2. Actknowinglyisactw/awarenessoflikelyfact[sawthe
turnedoversignandpotentiallythepaintonthegroundand
didntwanttoknow]
2. Transferringintent
3. Specificv.Generalintent
1. GeneralintentDdesiredtocommittheactusreasAND
somethingfurther.Requiresproofofaparticularmental
stateandintenttocausetheharmresultingfromtheact.2nd
partofIS.
2. Generalintent[lookupdefinitions]Ddesiredtocomitt
theactusres.Requiresblameworthystateofmindand
intenttodotheact.Atkins(Dgotdrunkandcommitted
arson.Arsonisgeneralintentcrime.Nointoxication
defense).Frey(Resistingarrestw/violenceisageneral
intentcrime.Nointoxicationdefense).MMC;IS
4. Strictliabilityoffenses
MistakeandIgnorance
A. Mistakeoffact
1. SpecificIntent:Mustbeingoodfaith.Doesnthavetobe
reasonable.
2. GeneralIntent:Mustbeingoodfaithandreasonable.
3. Nomistakeoffactdefenseifthefactshadbeenastheactor
believedthemtobe,hisconductwouldstillbeillegalor
immoral.
B. Mistakeoflaw
1. Entrapmentbyestoppel
2. Ignorance&M.R.
3. Fairnoticeexception[reviewthispossibility]
Causation
A. Actualcause&proximatecause
B. Concurrenceofelements