NCJ Number
3406
Date Published
1971
Length
228 pages
Annotation
GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES AND DISCUSSION OF ELEMENTS OF VARIOUS CRIMES.
Abstract
A FREQUENT CRITICISM OF THE INDIVIDUAL POLICEMAN HAS BEEN HIS GENERAL LACK OF UNDERSTANDING FOR THE RATIONALE UNDERLYING CRIMINAL LAW AND HIS SUPERFICIAL KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF SPECIFIC CRIMES. A WORKABLE KNOWLEDGE OF THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS WOULD GREATLY ASSIST A POLICEMAN IN IDENTIFYING WHEN AND WHAT CRIME HAS BEEN COMMITTED. SUCH KNOWLEDGE WOULD ALSO IMPROVE MARKEDLY HIS FUNDAMENTAL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION TECHNIQUES AND THUS ENHANCE THE CHANCES FOR PROSECUTION AND CONVICTION OF CRIMINALS. PRIMARILY INTENDED FOR USE IN SUBSTANTIVE CRIMINAL LAW COURSES, THE BOOK CONTAINS EASY-TO-READ EXPLANATIONS OF EXISTING CRIMINAL OFFENSES IN ADDITION TO AREAS OF THE CRIMINAL LAW NOT ORDINARILY COVERED IN POLICE TRAINING COURSES - THE NATURE OF JURISDICTION, THE CRIMINAL ACT, THE CRIMINAL STATE OF MIND, AND MATTERS AFFECTING CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY. THE BROAD SCOPE OF CRIMES IN THIS WORK RANGES FROM HOMICIDE ROBBERY, AND DRUG ABUSES TO OFFENSES BY AND AGAINST JUVENILES. FEDERAL AND STATE COURT DECISIONS ARE CITED INTERMITTENTLY TO SUPPORT THE MAJOR LEGAL PROPOSITIONS. QUESTIONS ARE FOUND AT THE END OF EACH CHAPTER. (SNI ABSTRACT)