Crimes
Following is a list of common crimes that defendants are charged with:
Contents
Elements of a Crime
As a general rule, every crime has four elements:
- Actus Reus (Voluntary Act)
- Mens Rea (Culpable Mental State)
- Concurrence of Actus Reus and Mens Rea
- Damages
Crimes Against the Person
- Murder
- Felony Murder
- Manslaughter - Voluntary
- Manslaughter - Involuntary
- Assault
- Battery
- Mayhem
- Rape
- Kidnapping
- Human or Sex Trafficking
Crimes Against Property
- Arson
- Blackmail
- Burglary
- Embezzlement
- Extortion
- False Pretense
- Larceny
- Receiving Stolen Property
- Robbery
- Trespass
Crimes Against the State
- Treason
- Possession or sale of controlled substances
- Prostitution
Attempt
Conspiracy
Accomplice Liability
An individual may be culpable for the crime of another if he assists in the commission of the crime by physical conduct, psychological influence. Generally, a failure to prevent another from committing a crime will not trigger accomplice liability. However, that ommission could be a factor in determining whether psychological influence occured.
Under the Pinkerton Doctrine [1] an accomplice can be liable for the criminal acts of another as long as the criminal act falls within the scope of the conspiracy or is a foreseeable consequence of a conspiracy.
In the United States, the mens rea requirement for accomplice liability is normally purpose, though some courts state that knowledge will suffice. The Model Penal Code states that accomplice liability will exist if a defendant assists another "with the purpose of promoting or facilitating the commission fo the offence [2]. If the primary actor can be convicted because the mens rea requirement is only recklessness or negligence, then the same level may apply to accomplice liability.