Criminal Law
Course Description:
Basic introduction to substantive criminal law. What act and mental state, together with what attendant circumstances or consequences, are necessary ingredients of various crimes. Includes a detailed analysis of many of the crimes against persons and property; responsibility (insanity, intoxication, infancy); defenses, justifications, and excuses; parties to crime and anticipatory offenses. Common law history and modern statutes are used as material. (One-semester course)
Class Notes:
First Year Class. Sections 5 and 6. See 1L Schedule.
Friday discussions will feature an in-depth examination of a current legal issue or problem tied to the week’s lessons. From 10:30 – 11:00 am on Fridays, students will build the capacity to understand contemporary problems in criminal law through the lens of lawyers, learning to identify the role the law and lawyers might play in contributing to, and/or resolving, a given problem. From 11:00 – 11:30 we will have an optional general discussion about the week’s topic–reflecting on policy issues not covered on exams but of general interest . Note that we will not meet every Friday, dates without classes TBA.
