Criminal Law Overview
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Questions and Answers

What is the term used to describe the physical acts and circumstances that must be proven to establish criminal liability?

  • Actus Reus (correct)
  • Causation
  • Omissions
  • Mens Rea
  • Which of the following best describes 'Mens Rea'?

  • The legal consequence of a crime
  • The moral blameworthiness of the accused
  • The physical act of committing a crime
  • The guilty mind or intention behind a crime (correct)
  • What does the concept of 'Causation' refer to in criminal law?

  • The circumstances surrounding an act
  • The link between the accused's actions and the resulting harm (correct)
  • The legal framework for defense
  • The motivation behind a crime
  • Which of the following scenarios exemplifies 'Omissions' in criminal law?

    <p>A bystander failing to assist someone in distress</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of common law, what does moral blameworthiness determine?

    <p>Whether the accused deserves punishment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the phrase 'Trial by ordeals' refer to?

    <p>Subjecting the accused to a dangerous test for guilt determination</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a primary source of criminal law?

    <p>Prosecutorial Discretion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Under the Criminal Code, how can someone be considered party to an offence?

    <p>By committing the offence themselves or aiding in its commission</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Historical Origins

    • Crime was once a conflict between individuals.
    • Now, crime is a public offense against the state.
    • Trial by ordeal was once used to determine guilt or innocence.

    Primary Sources of Law

    • Criminal Code of Canada was established in 1892.
    • Regulatory Offences include activities that are legal unless otherwise specified.
    • Common Law is based on previous judicial decisions and precedents.
    • Common Law helps maintain justice and moral blameworthiness.

    Actus Reus

    • Latin for "Guilty Act."
    • Requires proof of three components: Voluntary conduct, actual conduct, and consequences.
    • All three elements must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt to establish actus reus.

    Causation and Intervening Acts

    • Causation: Legal link between the accused's conduct and the consequences.
    • Intervening Act: Event or action between the act and injury that breaks the causal link.

    Omissions

    • The failure to act when obligated by law.
    • Quebec has a "Good Samaritan" law.
    • Omissions can be difficult when drug or alcohol use is involved.

    Mens Rea

    • Latin for "Guilty Mind."
    • Focuses on the accused's mental state during the crime.
    • Includes subjective and objective elements.

    Subjective Mens Rea

    • Intention: Acting with the goal to cause a specific result.
    • Knowledge: Knowing that an action will cause a specific consequence.
    • Recklessness: Being aware of a risk but proceeding anyway.
    • Willful Blindness: Deliberately ignoring a potential risk.

    Objective Mens Rea

    • What a reasonable person would have known and done.

    Murder

    • Crown must prove that the accused intended to cause the victim's death.
    • There are degrees of murder.
    • Self-defense requires three elements to be established.

    Modes of Participation

    • Party to an Offence - Section 21(1) of the Criminal Code:
      • Principal: Commits the act.
      • Aider: Assists the principal.
      • Abettor: Encourages the principal.

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    Description

    This quiz covers fundamental concepts of criminal law, including historical origins, primary sources, and essential principles like actus reus and causation. Test your understanding of how laws have evolved and the implications of omissions in legal contexts.

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