NCJ Number
72449
Journal
Training Key Issue: 292 Dated: (1980) Pages: complete issue
Date Published
1980
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This training brochure for police officers discusses the elements of commonly encountered crimes, as well as the most frequently used legal defenses that are planned to establish that some requirement for criminal liabilty is lacking.
Abstract
Discussion turns first to three broad categories of crimes: crimes against the person, property crimes, and inchoate or preliminary crimes. Examination of crimes against the person covers murder (first and second degres), manslaughter, and assault and battery. Property crimes addressed include larceny, robbery, and burglary. Crimes which are not completed, not punishable, and considered inchoate crimes are addressed: solicitation, attempt, and conspiracy. Defenses are then explored as used in criminal prosecutions, with consideration of infancy, insanity, involuntary intoxication, alibi, necessity or duress, and self-defense. Other legal defenses used are also given attention: defense of others, defense of property, public duty, consent (by the victim of the crime), mistake of fact, and mistake of law. A discussion guide helps to review the offenses and defenses summarized, and questions and answere complete the training brochure.