NCJ Number
129388
Date Published
1991
Length
70 pages
Annotation
Excerpts from the American Law Institute's Model Penal Code cover general provisions and the definitions of specific crimes.
Abstract
Article 1 under Part I, General Provisions, presents preliminary mandates, including time limitations, burden of proof, classes of crimes, principles of construction, and general definitions. Article 2 under Part I presents general principles of liability, followed by Articles 3, 4, and 5, which deal respectively with general principles of justification (defense), criminal responsibility, and inchoate crimes (criminal attempt, criminal solicitation, criminal conspiracy, and weapons offenses). Part II presents definitions of specific crimes. The first class of offenses involves "danger to the person" and encompasses criminal homicide; assault, reckless endangering, and threats; kidnapping and related offenses; and sexual offenses. The second class of offenses, offenses against property, encompasses arson, criminal mischief, and other property destruction; burglary and other criminal intrusion; robbery; theft and related offenses; and forgery and fraudulent practices. Other offense categories are offenses against the family (bigamy, polygamy, incest, and abortion); offenses against public administration (bribery, perjury, and obstructing governmental operations); and offenses against public order and decency.