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MajorityRule Theaggressorimmediately regainsherrightofselfdefense,assoonasthe

victimthreatensexcessiveforce.

(1)

MinorityRule Ifvictimrespondswithdeadlyforcetheaggressormustattempttoretreator

havenosaferetreatpossiblebeforeusingdeadlyforce.

(2)

Non

deadly

Aggressors

If

the

victim

of

an

aggressor

responds

with

excessive

(deadly

unlawful)

force,theaggressorloosestheaggressorstatus2rules:i)

DeadlyAggressors Thedeadlyaggressoronlygainsarighttoselfdefenseaftershehasabandoned

herdeadlydesignandcommunicates thisfacttothepersondefending.

ii)

LosingAggressorStatusa)

PhysicalCharacteristics Defendantsphysicalcharacteristicsmaybeincorporatedintothe

reasonablepersonstandardhere.

i)

DefendersExperience Priorexperienceofthedefendantisrelevant,generally.ii)

ReasonableBelief Beliefisobjectivelyreasonableinlightofthesurroundingcircumstances.b)

GeneralRule Anonaggressor isjustifiedinusingdeadlyforce uponanotherifhereasonablybelieves that

suchforceisnecessary toprotecthimselffromimminent use(actualorapparent)ofunlawfuldeadlyforce by

theotherperson.

1)

Majority Maystandgroundwhenreasonablynecessarytosaveself.a)

Exception

Mustnot

retreat

ifit

would

jeopardize

life

by

doing

so.i)

Minority Mustretreattoasafeplaceifoneisavailable.b)

GeneralException(CastleDoctrine) Ifdefenderisattackedinhishomethroughnofaultofhisown,he

neednotretreat.Somecourtsextendtotheareasurroundingthedwelling.

c)

Retreat2)

CommonLawi.

DeadlyForce Deadlyforceispermissiblewhentheactorbelievessuchforceisnecessarytoprotect

himselfagainstdeath,seriousbodilyinjury,kidnapping,sexualintercourse compelledbyforce orthreatof

force.

a)

GeneralRule Apersonisjustifiedinusingforceonanotherifhebelieves thatsuchforceisimmediately

necessary toprotecthimselfagainsttheexerciseofunlawful forcebytheotheronthepresentoccasion.

1)

Exception Doesnotapplytodwellingunlessdefendantwastheaggressor.Doesnotapplytoplaceof

workunlessdefendantwastheaggressororifattackedbyacoworker.

a)

Retreat Ifthedefendantknowsofretreatwithcompletesafety,thenhemustretreat.2)

ModelPenalCodeii.

SelfDefensea.

ModernRule;ReasonableAppearance Theintervenormayuseforcethatreasonablyappears tothe

intervenor tobejustified.

1)

OldRule;IntheOthersShoes Theintervenorcanonly usetheforcethatwouldhavebeenjustifiedifthethird

partywouldhavebeenjustified.

2)

CommonLawi.

SelfProtection Intervenorusesnomoreforcethathewouldbeentitledtouseinselfprotection,based

onthecircumstancesashebelievesthemtobe.

a)

ReasonableAppearance Underthecircumstancesashebelievesthemtobe,thethirdpartywouldbe

justifiedinusingsuchforceinselfdefense;and

b)

NecessaryforProtection Hebelievesthatinterventionisnecessary forthethirdparty'sprotectionc)

ThreeAspectsthatLimitForce 1)

ModelPenalCodeii.

DefenseofAnotherb.

GeneralRule Deadlyforceisnever justified.Apersonisjustifiedinusingnondeadlyforceifshereasonably

believes thatsuchforceisnecessarytopreventtheimminent,unlawful dispossessionoftheproperty.Insome

jurisdictionsdefender

must

request

the

dispossessor

to

stop

prior

to

using

force.

1)

Exception Nondeadlyforceispermittedinfreshpursuit ofdispossessorofproperty.a)

Recapture Ifthedefenderhasalreadybeendispossessedoftheproperty,forcemaynotbeused torecapture

theproperty.

2)

CommonLawi.

GeneralRule Apersonisjustifiedinusingnondeadlyforceifshebelieves thatsuchforceisnecessaryto

preventtheimminent,unlawful dispossessionoftheproperty.

1)

Exception,Land Actormaynotuseforcetorecaptureunlesshebelievesthatitwouldconstitutean

"exceptionalhardship"todelayreentryuntilhecangetacourtorder.

a)

Recapture Nondeadlyforceisauthorized,evenafterfreshpursuithasended,iftheactorbelievesthatthe

dispossessorhasnoclaimofrighttotheproperty.

2)

Thedefenderbelievesthatapersonintendstodispossess herofherdwelling otherthanunderaclaimof

righttopossession.

a)

Thepersonhasemployedorthreatened deadlyforceagainstorinthepresenceofthedefender;

ORi)

Theuseofnondeadlyforcetopreventcommissionofthecrimewouldexposethedefenderor

anothertoasubstantialriskofseriousbodilyharm.

ii)

Thedefenderbelievesthatapersonintentstocommitarson,burglary,robberyorfelonioustheftinside

thedwellingand

b)

DeadlyForce(DefenseofHabitation) Theuseofdeadlyforceisjustifiedwhen:3)

ModelPenalCodeii.

DefenseofPropertyc.

OldandBroadRule Deadlyforceisjustifiediftheactorreasonablybelievesthat1)theintruderintends

unlawfullyandimmediatelyenterthedwelling,2)intendstocommitafelonyinsideorcausebodily(any)injury

toanyoccupant,and3)deadlyforceisnecessarytoprevententry.

1)

Modern,NarrowRule Deadlyforceislimitedtocircumstancesinwhichthedefenderbelievesthatthe

intruderwillcommitanatrocious(violent)felonyinsidethedwellingiftheintruderenters.

2)

CommonLawi.

GeneralRule TheMPCusesdefenseofpropertyprincipalstoanalyzedefenseofhabitationissues.1)

ModelPenalCodeii.

DefenseofHabitationd.

MinorityLimitation Limitthistotheprotectionofpersonalpropertya)

Homicide typicallyinapplicableb)

GeneralRule ThreeElements:1)Actor >clearandimminentdanger.2)actnecessarytoabate

danger(above).3)Whathemustdoislessserious thantheharmhewantstoavoid.

1)Common

Lawi.

Necessitye.

JustificationDefenses1.

SuperExamOutline

Professor: Federle; Book: Dressler; Grade: "A"

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Homicide thedefenseisavailableforhomicidea)

GeneralRule Threeelements:1)theactorbelieves conductisnecessary toavoidharmtohimselforanother.

2)theharmthattheactorseekstoavoidisgreater thanthatsoughttobeavoidedbythelawprohibitinghis

conduct.3)theredoesnotplainlyexistanytoexcludethejustificationclaimedbytheactor.

1)

Reckless/NegligentException Iftheactorwasrecklessornegligentthedefenseisunavailable.2)

ModelPenalCodeii.

CoercedHomicide Defensenotavailableforcoercedhomicides.a)

GeneralRule Defendantmustproveshecommittedtheoffensebecause1)anotherpersonunlawfully

threatenedimminently tokillorgrievously injureheroranotherpersonunlessshecommittedthecrimeand2)

sheisnotatfault inexposingherselftothethreat.

1)

CommonLawi.

CoercedHomicide Thereisnobartouseofthedefenseforcoercedhomicides.a)

GeneralRule Defendantmustshowthat1)hecommittedanoffensebecausehewascoercedtodosoby

anotherperson'suse,orthreattouse,unlawfulforceagainsthimorathirdparty,and2)apersonofreasonable

firmness wouldhavecommittedtheoffense.

1)

ModelPenalCodeii.

Duressf.

GeneralRule Apersonisneverexcusedbecauseofvoluntarilyintoxication.a)

MensRea Defense Failureofproof:specificintent offenseif,b/cofV/I,helackedthecapacity ordidnot

formthespecificintentrequired forthecrime.

b)

CommonLaw1)

Exception Ifthedefendantischargedwithrecklessnessoffense,defendantmaybeconvictedifthe

reasonforherrecklessnesswasafailuretoperceivetheriskbecauseherselfinducedintoxication.

i)

GeneralRule V/Iisadefenseifitnegatesanelementoftheoffense.a)

ModelPenalCode2)

VoluntaryIntoxicationi.

MensRea Defense Involuntaryintoxicationisadefenseifactorlackstherequisitementalstateofthe

offenseforwhichshewascharged(specificorgeneralintent)

a)

TemporaryInsanityDefense Voluntaryintoxicationisadefenseif,duetoinvoluntaryintoxication,the

defendantsatisfiesthejurisdictionsinsanitytest.

b)

CommonLaw1)

MensRea Defense Involuntaryintoxicationisadefenseifactorlackstherequisitementalstateofthe

offenseforwhichshewascharged(specificorgeneralintent)

a)

TemporaryInsanityDefense Voluntaryintoxicationisadefenseif,duetoinvoluntaryintoxication,the

defendantsatisfiesthejurisdictionsinsanitytest.

b)

ModelPenalCode2)

InvoluntaryIntoxicationii.

Intoxicationa.

1) M'NaghtenTest Apersonislegallyinsaneif,b/cofMD/D,1)hedidnotknow (cognition)thenatureand

quality oftheactheor 2)didnotknow thedifferencebetweenrightandwrong.

IrresistibleImpulseTest Apersonislegallyinsaneif,b/cofMD/D,sheactedwithanirresistibleand

uncontrollableimpulse,oriflostthepower tochoosebetweenrightandwrong.

2)

CommonLawi.

Wrongfulness/Criminality Lefttothecourttofigureout.Wrongfulnessisinsomesensebroaderthan

criminality.

a)

Appreciation MPCusesappreciationratherthanknowing.Appreciationisbroaderthanknowing.Itisan

understandingofconduct.

b)

GeneralRule Anactorislegallyinsaneifatthetimeofthecriminalconduct,asaresultofaMD/D,the

defendantlackedsubstantialcapacity to1)appreciate thecriminality/wrongfulnessofhisconduct(cognitive)OR

conform hisconducttotherequirementsofthelaw(volitional).

1)

ModelPenalCodeii.

Insanityb.

GeneralRule Diminishedcapacityisapartialdefense(failureofproof)wherethedefendantassertsthathe

couldnotformthemensrea requiredforthecrimeduetoalowermentalstatus.Usuallyusedwhenmental

problemisn'tenoughforinsanity.

1)

CommonLawi.

GeneralRule SeeEMEDhomicide1)

ModelPenalCodeii.

DiminishedCapacityc.

ExcuseDefenses2.

1)

LastActTest Performedalloftheactsthatshebelievedwerenecessarytocommitthetargetoffense.a)

DangerousProximityTest an attemptoccurswhenwhenanact"issoneartotheresultthatthedanger

ofsuccessisverygreat."

b)

ProximitytoSuccessTest Theattemptwouldhaveresultedintheactualcommissionofthecrimeifit

wasnotfrustratedbyextraneouscircumstances.

c)

IndispensableElementTest Anattemptoccurswhenthedefendanthasobtainedcontrolofan

indispensablefeatureofthecriminalplan.

d)

Unequivocally/ResIpsaLoquiturTest Theactorsconduct,standingalone,demonstratescriminalintent.

(Nowords,onlyactions).

e)

ProbableDesistanceTest Theactorisguiltywhensheproceedspastthepointwhichanordinaryperson

wouldhavelikelyabandonedhercriminalendeavor(thepointofnoreturn).

f)

ActusReus Theactusreusisanactofperpetration.

Theactormustintentionallycommittheactusreus ofanattempt;andi)

Mustperformsaidactswiththespecificintention ofcommittingthetargetcrime.ii)

TwoIntentsRequired:a)

RecklessApproach Recklessregardinganattendantcircumstance.i)

TargetCrime

Approach

Look

to

that

element

of

the

target

crime.ii)

AttendantCircumstances Atcommonlawitisunclearwhatmensrea,ifany,anactormustpossess

regardinganattendantcircumstancestobeguiltyofattempt.

b)

MensRea2)

FactualImpossibility Ifthefactswereasthedefendantbelieved themtobethetargetcrimewouldhave

occurred.Factualimpossibilityisneveradefense.

a)

LegalImpossibility Legalimpossibilityisgenerallyadefensewhenthedefendanttriestoviolatealawb)

Impossibility Legalimpossibilitywasadefensetoattemptwhilefactualimpossibilitywasnot.3)

CommonLawi.

Attempta.

InchoateConduct3.

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butnolawexists(purelegalimpossibility).

HybridLegalImpossibility Anactorsgoalisillegalbutcommissionoftheoffenseisimpossibleb/kof

mistakeregardingthelegalstatus ofsomefactual circumstancerelevanttoherconduct.Resultdepends

uponthedangerandwhowewanttoblame.

c)

Renunciation(Abandonment) Generallynotadefense.Injurisdictionswhereitisdefendantmustvoluntarily

andcompletely renounceshiscriminalpurpose.

4)

General Apersonisguiltyofattemptifhe1)purposelyengagesinconduct thatwouldconstitutethecrime,2)

actswiththepurposeofcausing orwiththebelief thatitwillcausethecriminalresult,or3)purposelydoesan

actconstitutingasubstantialstep infurtheranceoftheoffense.

1)

Lyinginwaiti)

Enticing thevictimtotheplaceofthecontemplatedcrimeii)

Reconnoitering theplacecontemplatedfromthecommissionofthecrimeiii)

Unlawfulentry intotheplaceofthecrimeiv)

Possessionofmaterials tobeemployedinthecommissionofthecrimev)

Possession,collectionorfabricationofmaterialstobeemployedinthecommissionofthecrimeat

orneartheplaceofthecrime

vi)

Solicitinganinnocentagent toengageinconductconstitutinganelementofthecrime.vii)

SubstantialStep

Standard

Substantial

step

is

not

defined

but

it

must

be

corroborative of

the

actor's

criminalpurpose.Corroborativemustbeconsidered bythefactfinder:

a)

ActusReus Therewillonlybeanactusreus issuewithanincomplete attempt.2)

CompleteAttempt Adefendanthasdoneeveryactnecessaryonhisparttocommitthetarget

offense.

i)

Incomplete

Attempt

A

defendant

has

not

completed

the

last

actii)

CompleteorIncomplete?a)

CriminalConduct(Rape) Mustpurposely engageinconductthatwouldconstitutethecrime.i)

CriminalResult(Murder) Mustactwiththepurpose ofcausingorwiththebelief thattheactwill

causethecriminalresult.

ii)

CriminalResultorConduct(CompleteAttempt)?b)

IncompleteAttempt,GeneralRule Mustpurposely engageinasubstantialstep.c)

AttendantCircumstances MPCprovidesthatanactorisguiltyofanattemptifsheactswiththekindof

culpabilityotherwiserequiredforcommissionofthetargetcrime.

d)

MensRea3)

Impossibility TheMPCstipulatesthatapersonisguiltyofattemptifhisconductwouldconstitutethecrimeif

theattendantcircumstanceswereashebelievedthemtobe.Thus,factual impossibilityandhybrid impossibility

arenotadefense.Purelegalimpossibility,however,remainsadefense.

4)

Renunciation(Abandonment) ApersonisnotguiltyofMPCattemptif1)sheabandons herefforttocommit

thecrimeorprevents itfrombeingcommitted,and2)herconductmanifestsacompleteandvoluntary

renunciation ofhercriminalpurpose.

5)

ModelPenalCodeii.

GeneralRule Commonlawconspiracyisanagreement betweentwoormorepersonstocommitanunlawful

actorseriesofunlawfulacts.Commonlawconspiracydoesnotmerge.

1)

OvertAct somejurisdictions(viaMPCinfluence)requireanovertact.a)

ActusReus Theactusreusofconspiracyisanagreement (actualorimplied)bythepartiestocommitan

unlawfulactorseriesofunlawfulacts.

2)

Knowledge Note:Underthecommonlawitispossibletoinferintentfromknowledge.a)

PluralityRequirement(BilateralTheory) Twoormorepersonsmustpossess(butneednotbeguilty)the

requisitemensreaornopartyisguiltyofconspiracy.

b)

Mensrea Themensreaofconspiracyis1)specificintent toformanagreement,and2)specificintent to

committheillegalact.

3)

CoConspirators Generally,tobeacoconspiratorapersonmusthaveageneralawarenessofthescopeand

theobjectiveofthecriminalenterprise.Knowledgeoftheidentityofeveryoneinvolvedisnotnecessary.

4)

Exception Wharton'srulenotapplicableif1)twoconspiratorsarenotthepartiesnecessaryto

commissionoftheoffence,and2)morepersons thannecessarytocommitthecrimeareinvolvedin

theagreementtocommitthecrime.

i)

Wharton'sRule Noconspiracyiftheonlypartiesintheoffensearethosewhoarenecessarytocommit

theoffense(i.e.adultery)

a)

Legislative ExemptionRule Apersonmaynotbeprosecutedforconspiracytocommitacrimethatis

intendedtoprotectthatperson(i.e.statutoryrape).Lookforissuesaboutwhothestatutewasintended

toprotect.

b)

Abandonment Commonlawconspiracyiscompleteatthemomenttheagreementismade.Ifanactor

freelyandvoluntarilyabandonstheconspiracybeannouncinghisintenttohiscoconspiratorsheisonly

liableforthecrimescommittedpriortohisabandonment.

c)

Defenses5)

CommonLawi.

OvertAct Anovertactofatleastoneparty isrequired(exceptforfeloniesoffirstandseconddegree)a)

ActusReus Theactusreusofconspiracyistheformation(orattemptedformation)ofanagreement (actualor

implied)bythepartiestocommitancrimeorseriesofcrimes.

1)

MensRea

A

person

is

not

guilty

of

conspiracy

unless

she

acts

with

the

purpose of

promoting

or

facilitating the

commissionoftheconductthatconstitutesacrime.Onewhofurnishesaserviceorinstrumentwithknowledge

ofanother'scriminalactivitiesisnotguiltyofconspiracy.

2)

ConspiracyisaUnilateralOffense Thefirststepistoidentifyeachconspiracywiththisfactinmind.a)

CoConspirators Ifapersonisguiltyofconspiracyknows thatthepersonwithwhomhehasconspired

has,inturn,conspiredwithstillanotherpersonorpersonstocommitthesame crime,thefirstpersonis

alsoguiltyofconspiringwiththeotherpersonsorperson,whetherornotheknowstheiridentity.

b)

PartiestoAgreement Twoaspectsofthecodemustbeconsidered:3)

ObjectivesofaConspiracy UndertheMPCtheconspiracyisattachedtotheagreement.Iftwopartieshave

multiplecriminalobjectivesderivedasingleagreementthereisoneconspiracy.

4)

Wharton'sRule notrecognizedbytheMPCa)

LegislativeExemptionRule Isadefenseifenforcementoftheconspiracylawwouldfrustratealegislative

intentiontoexemptapartyfromprosecution.

b)

RenunciationofCriminalPurpose Noconspiracyifthepersonrenounces(manifestingcompleteand

voluntaryrenunciation)

his

criminal

purpose

and

then

thwarts the

success

of

the

conspiracy.