Chapter 6

Criminal Law

 

Objectives

1. Describe criminal intent, degrees of mental fault

2. White collar crimes, corporate crimes, RICO

3. Crimes against business

4. Defenses (self-defense, duress, mistake of fact, entrapment)

5. Constitutional amendments affecting criminal procedure (4th, 5th, 6th)

 

I. Nature of Crimes

          A.  Crime defined, act or omission forbidden by public law in the interest of protecting society, and punishable by the government

          B. Essential Elements

                   1.  Government must prove every element of a crime BRD

                   If an element is missing, defendant wins

          C. Actus reus (wrongful act)

          D. Mens rea (criminal intent) Model penal code approach follows

                   1. Subjective fault (defendant actually knows it's wrong)

                             a. Purposeful

                             b. Knowing

                             c. Reckless

                   Johnson v. Fla., p. 101.  Defendant snatched a purse containing both money and a gun.  Can he be charged with both theft of money and theft of a firearm?  Holding, No.  There is only one act, i.e. snatching the purse.  The degree of the crime is then determined by what was taken.  To have two crimes, must have intent to commit two separate crimes.

                   2. Objective fault (defendant should have done better)

                             a. Negligent

                             b. Careless

                   3. Strict liability (no fault)

II. Business Liability

          A. Vicarious liability

          B. Corporate liability (example, Arthur Andersen)

III. White-Collar Crime (non-violent, business crimes)

          A. Theft of trade secrets

                   People v. Farell, p. 104. Does theft of $2.5m in trade secrets count for sentencing purposes where statute requires 90 days jail time for theft of "amount exceeding $50k?"  Holding, yes. Theft is theft.

          B. Computer crime (we'll cover in detail in ch. 48)

          C. RICO

IV. Crimes Against Business

          A. Larceny

          B. Embezzlement

          C. False pretenses

          D. Robbery

          E. Burglary

          F. Extortion and bribery

          G. Forgery

          H. Bad Checks

                   State v. Kelm, p. 108.

                   Feb. 10, 1991. Def. gets $6000 loan from Williams

                   Def. gives check for $6000 to attorney, dated Feb. 15

                   Feb. 15. Lawyer gives check to Williams

                   Next week check bounced, bank says no such account

          Must the state prove intent to defraud?  No. Knowledge that the check is bad at the time the check is passed is enough.

                            

V. Defenses to Criminal Charges

          A. Defense of person or property

          B. Duress

          C. Mistake of fact

          D. Entrapment

         

V. Criminal Procedure (see chart on p. 113)

          A. Steps

                   1. Arrest, booked, charged

                   2. Preliminary hearing to determine probable cause

                   3. Indictment or information

                   4. Arraignment (formally charged, defendant enters plea)

                   5. Trial

                             a. Presumption of innocence

                             b. Govt. must prove guilt BRD

                             c. Defendant cannot be forced to testify

                             d. Jury selection

                             e. Opening statements

                             f. Prosecution presents case

                             g. Defendant presents case

                             h. Prosecution presents rebuttal case

                             i. Closing arguments

                             j. Verdict

                             k. If guilty, sentencing hearing

          B. Fourth Amendment

                             1.  Forbids unreasonable searches and seizures

                             2.  Warrant sometimes required

                             3. Exclusionary rule bars illegal evidence

          C. Fifth Amendment

                             1. Grand jury indictments in capital crimes

                             2. No double jeopardy

                             3. No self-incrimination

                             4. Due process required

          D. Sixth Amendment

                             1. Right to speedy trial

                             2. Right to jury

                             3. Right to confront witnesses

                             4.  Right to call defense witnesses

                             5. Right to counsel