What This Document Is
This document is a detailed study guide, specifically an attack outline, for a law school course on Criminal Law, compiled by Rachel Barkow of NYU Law in Spring 2014. It’s designed to help students break down complex legal concepts and apply them to potential exam questions. The focus is on foundational principles and common law interpretations, alongside the Model Penal Code (MPC) approach.
Why This Document Matters
This study guide is valuable for law students enrolled in Criminal Law courses, particularly those preparing for exams or seeking a structured review of core concepts. It’s also useful for legal professionals needing a refresher on fundamental criminal law principles. The document exists to provide a concentrated and organized resource for navigating the intricacies of culpability, actus reus, mens rea, and the constitutional limits on criminal statutes.
Common Limitations or Challenges
This study guide is a condensed outline and does not provide exhaustive case briefs or in-depth legal analysis. It assumes a base level of understanding of legal terminology and concepts. It’s a tool for *review* and *organization*, not a substitute for reading and understanding the assigned case law and statutory materials. It also reflects the legal landscape as of 2014 and may not include updates to case law or statutory changes.
What This Document Provides
This preview includes sections covering:
* The foundational building blocks of criminal law, including principles of legality, notice, non-delegation, and the rule of lenity.
* A breakdown of culpability, including defining actus reus (voluntary acts, omissions, possession) and mens rea (common law and MPC approaches).
* Discussion of legal duties related to omissions and potential expansions of liability.
* An overview of different standards for establishing mens rea, including knowledge and willful blindness.
This preview *does not* include the full discussion of specific crimes, defenses, or detailed case analyses found in the complete document. It also does not cover all nuances of the MPC or provide a comprehensive list of every relevant case.
