Exam 4: Actus Reus

Robinson v. California ruled that it is unjust to convict the defendant of a ______ because he is a narcotic addict.

Jacinda has had seizures all her life; nonetheless she still drives her car to and from work every day. One day on her way to work, she began having a seizure while driving. Subsequently she was unable to stop her car at a stop sign and hit multiple children as they crossed the street on their walk to school. Will Jacinda likely be successful in her argument that the accident was a result of an involuntary action?

______ is typically defined as the ability to exercise "dominion and control" over an object.

A criminal act is limited to acts and omissions.

Which is NOT an element of possession?

List four situations where an individual has the duty to intervene.

What is mens rea?

What is the difference between actual possession and joint possession? What is the difference between constructive possession and fleeting possession? Why is joint possession the difficult issue for courts?

List four reasons why we have the American bystander rule.

The criminal law punishes involuntary acts and does not penalize thoughts.

Crimes require differing attendant circumstances.

______ possession refers to physical control without awareness of the object.

The fleeting possession rule is a limited exception to criminal possession

The law excuses persons from fulfilling their duty in those instances in which they would be placed in peril.

During an urban peaceful protest Jack is tazed by a police officer. The jolt sends his limbs flying and he kicks the officer in the shin. Will he likely be charged with assaulting an officer based on the kick?

In which cases would it be fair to punish individuals who do not consciously engage in criminal activity?

Jerry is involved in a hit-and-run accident while riding his bike. Marge sees the accident occur, realizes that Jerry is slowly dying on the road, yet she continues to walk home. Later that evening, Marge sees on the nightly news that Jerry has died. In what types of situations are you liable to help someone? Was Marge liable for the death of Jerry? Why or why not? If Marge had started to take Jerry to the hospital, but dropped him off a block before the destination because she was running late, would she be liable for the death of Jerry? Why or why not?

There does NOT necessarily need to be concurrence between the actus reus and mens rea.

It is believed that punishing possession deters and prevents the next step.

Criminal intent is also referred to as ______.