Criminal Law: Statutory Law and Offenses

Study Notes

Aims to achieve order in society by defining forbidden conduct and consequences
Gives fair warning of proscribed conduct and its consequences
Differentiates between serious and minor crimes
Provides for a public response to particular offenses, including consideration of the victim and community

C.P.L. outlines the procedure for making arrests with warrants, while Penal Law defines crimes and consequences

Law: a rule adopted by a competent authority that prohibits, commands, or regulates acts or modes of conduct
Offense: any conduct for which a person may be fined or imprisoned
Petty Offense: a violation or traffic infraction, punishable by a fine or imprisonment of up to 15 days
Crime: a misdemeanor or felony

Physical Injury (P.I.): impairment of physical condition or substantial pain
Serious Physical Injury (S.P.I): physical injury that creates a substantial risk of death or causes death or serious disfigurement
Deadly Physical Force (D.P.F.): physical force capable of causing death or serious physical injury
Deadly Weapon: a loaded weapon capable of causing death or serious physical injury
Dangerous Instrument: an instrument capable of causing death or serious physical injury

Requires a forbidden act or omission, and the defendant was physically able to perform a required act
Strict Liability: mere doing of the act is enough to make the actor punishable, regardless of mental state
Culpable Mental State: intentional, reckless, criminal negligent, or knowing mental state