NCJ Number
52663
Date Published
1978
Length
352 pages
Annotation
THIS INTRODUCTORY TEXT FOR ACTIVE AND PROSPECTIVE POLICE OFFICERS PRESENTS AND DEFINES BASIC LEGAL CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES OF AMERICAN CRIMINAL LAW.
Abstract
THE TEXT IS DESIGNED TO ACCOMPLISH THREE PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVES: (1) TO FILL A GAP IN POLICE INSTRUCTIONAL LITERATURE; (2) TO SERVE AS A LEGAL GUIDE TO POLICE AND CORRECTIONS PERSONNEL AND PRESENT THESE PEOPLE WITH AN INFORMAL STUDY OF CRIMINAL LAW PRINCIPLES; AND (3) TO PROVIDE THE BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE NECESSARY FOR UNDERSTANDING STATUTORY AND CODIFIED LAW IN STATE AND LOCAL JURISDICTIONS. THE FIRST PART, DESIGNED AS ORIENTATION MATERIAL, DISCUSSES BASIC LEGAL PRINCIPLES APPLICABLE IN THE FIELD OF CRIMINAL LAW IN GENERAL. IT DEFINES CRIMINAL LAW, OUTLINES ITS SOURCES, CLASSIFIES CRIMES, AND DISCUSSES THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF THE CRIMINAL ACT, WITH ATTENTION TO WHO CONSTITUTES A PARTY TO A CRIME, CRIMES COMMITTED UNDER DURESS OR THREAT, AND DEFENSES THAT OFTEN EXCUSE CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY (E.G., INSANITY, AMNESIA, INTOXICATION). THE SECOND PART CATALOGS COMMON LAW CRIMINAL ACTS, INCLUDING HOMICIDE, KIDNAPPING, ABDUCTION, RAPE, ASSAULT, ARSON, BURGLARY, EMBEZZLEMENT, ROBBERY, MALICIOUS MISCHIEF, AND OFFENSES AGAINST THE PUBLIC HEALTH, THE PUBLIC PEACE, AND THE EXISTENCE OF GOVERNMENT. THE OFFENSES ARE CATALOGED IN TERMS OF SOCIAL HARM (I.E., PROPERTY OFFENSES, CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS), AND EACH ACT IS DEFINED SPECIFICALLY AS IT EXISTS IN COMMON LAW, WITH EMPHASIS ON THE EXACT ACT AND THE INTENT NECESSARY TO CONSTITUTE A CRIME. A LIST OF CASES CITED IS PROVIDED AT THE CLOSE OF EACH CHAPTER. AN INDEX IS INCLUDED. (KBL)