Model Penal Code and Commentaries (Official Draft and Revised Comments) Part Two - Definition of Specific Crimes - V 3 - Offenses Against Public Administration, Offenses Against Public Order and Decency

• NCJ Number: 73424
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 563 pages
• Grant Number(s): 76-NI-AX-0085
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice; Rockefeller Foundation; US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: American Law Institute
• Sale Source: American Law Institute
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

In part II, volume 3 of the work, sections relating to offenses against public administration and offenses against public order and decency are presented; a section-by-section approach is implemented.

Abstract

The project to revise the Model Penal Code and Commentaries, which were originally drafted in 1952, began in 1976, supported in part by an LEAA grant to the American Law Institute. Under the major category of offenses against public administration, the subjects of bribery and corrupt influence, perjury and other falsification in official matters, obstructing governmental operations and escapes, and abuse of office are addressed. Under the major category of offenses against public order and decency, the subjects of riot, disorderly conduct, related offenses, and public indecency are the focus. Explanations are included throughout the work in conjunction with the text, and relevant State codes are cited. For example, section 250.11 addresses cruelty to animals and states that a person commits a misdemeanor if he purposely or recklessly subjects an animal to cruel mistreatment, or subjects any animal in his custody to cruel neglect, or kills or injures any animal belonging to another without legal privilege or consent of the owner. The first two provisions are not applicable to accepted veterinary practices and to activities carried on for scientific research. The comentary section following the statement of law relates that common law did not recognize an offense of cruelty to animals and that the model code defines neither 'animal' nor 'cruel.' It also discusses how States have attempted to define cruelty. Additional specific topics addressed in this volume include bribery in official and political matters, retaliation for past official action, false swearing, tampering with public records or information, resisting arrest or other law enforcement, disorderly conduct, loitering or prowling, open lewdness, and obscenity. Footnotes are included in the book.