ADJUS-121 Lecture 1: Adjus-121_-_Lecture_1_
20 Jun 2020
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Three critical areas of substantive criminal law: Most substantive criminal law can be divided into four major categories. General principles of criminal law: the basic rules on which all of criminal law builds. The definition of crimes: since the state must prove crimes beyond a reasonable doubt (95%), it is important that each element of a crime be clearly defined. Criminal defenses: the law recognizes that even when the state has established each element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, there are still some situations in which the defendant should be not guilty. Due process: minimum standards of fairness in a free society. When a defendant can demonstrate that by his criminal activity he prevented a greater harm, various jurisdictions have reacted differently. Defense of choice of evils/necessity: if defendant can establish that by engaging in that criminal behavior he cut down on a much greater harm to society, he will be found not guilty.
