Law 6009 Sec 002 Assignment
Criminal Law Syllabus, Spring 2006
Professor Reitz
Time permitting, we will cover much of the material in Chapters 1 through 8
of our casebook, KADISH & SCHULHOFER, CRIMINAL LAW AND ITS PROCESSES (7th
ed. 2001). This syllabus breaks the readings down into individual assignments.
Each entry is expected to occupy roughly one class period, although assignments
will often spill over into additional classes.
Chapters 1 and 2. How Guilt is Established; The Justification of
Punishment.
* Theories of Punishment: 95-135.
* Application in Cases:
135-56.
* Burdens of Proof: 35-50; In connection with Patterson, please
review NEW YORK PENAL LAW §§ 125.20 & 125.25 at 393-94.
Minnesota Statutes on the
Purposes of Criminal Punishment
Selected Provisions of the Minnesota Constitution
Chapter 3. Defining Criminal Conduct.
* Actus Reus: 173-82; Please
consider how the cases in this assignment would be decided under MPC § 2.01(1)
& (2) at 1041.
* Omissions: 182-97; MPC § 2.01(3) at 1041.
* Mens Rea:
203-24; MPC § 2.02 at 1041-42; MPC § 1.13(10) at 1040-41.
* Mistake of Fact:
225-35; MPC § 2.04(1) at 1043.
* Strict Liability: 235-49.
* Mistake of
Law: 255-68.
Chapter 4. Rape.
* Introduction; Actus Reus: 313-38.
* Actus Reus II:
338-51.
* Mens Rea: 351-66.
Chapter 5. Homicide.
* Introduction; Premeditation: MPC §§ 210.0 to 210.4
at 1076-77; 390-404.
* Provocation: 405-24; In connection with Casassa,
please review the relevant New York statutes at 393-94.
* Unintended Killings
I: 425-39.
* Unintended Killings II: 439-47.
* Felony Murder: 448-59.
*
Death Penalty: 483-515.
Chapter 6. The Significance of Resulting Harm.
* Causation I: 517-28 (top
of page); 529-30 (Notes 1 and 2); MPC § 2.03 at 1042-43.
* Causation II:
530-50.
* Attempt I: 556-69.
* Attempt II: 569-81; MPC § 5.01 at 1060-61;
Sample Exam Question (TWEN).
Chapter 7. Group Criminality.
* Complicity I: 607-09 (to end of Note 1);
611-21; MPC § 2.06 at 1044-45.
* Complicity II: 621-26 (to end of Note 2);
628-33; 642-44.
Chapter 8. Exculpation.
* Self Defense I: 750-63.
* Self Defense II:
763-68; 776-85.
* Intoxication: 861-75; MPC § 2.08 at 1046.
