CRIMINAL LAW

CRIMINAL LAW
AND PROCEDURE
FOR THE PARALEGAL
A SYSTEMS APPROACH
Third Edition

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CRIMINAL LAW
AND PROCEDURE
FOR THE PARALEGAL
A SYSTEMS APPROACH
Third Edition
James W. H. McCord, J. D.
Eastern Kentucky University
Sandra L. McCord, M. A.
A u s t r a l i a C a n a d a M e x i c o S i n g a p o r e S p a i n U n i t e d K i n g d o m U n i t e d S t a t e s

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WEST LEGAL STUDIES
CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE
A SYSTEMS APPROACH 3E
James W. H. McCord and Sandra L. McCord
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To our son
Quinten James McCord
with love

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CONTENTS
TABLE OF EXHIBITS xix
TABLE OF CASES xxi
PREFACE xxxv
1
FOUNDATIONS OF CRIMINAL LAW
3
I. INTRODUCTION 4
II. OVERVIEW OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM 4
A. Rule of Law 4
B. The Constitution 4
C. Separation of Powers 5
D. Police Power 5
III. CRIMINAL LAW 6
A. Purpose of Criminal Law 6
B. Sources of Criminal Law 7
C. Model Penal Code 8
D. Administrative Crime 8
E. International Crime 8
F. Change in the Criminal Law 9
G. Divisions of Criminal Law 9
H. Due Process 9
I. Classification of Crimes 9
IV. PUNISHMENT AND CRIMINAL LAW 10
A. Introduction 10
B. Retribution 10
C. Deterrence 11
D. Rehabilitation 12
V. CRITICAL REASON AND CRIMINAL LAW 13
VI. THE DILEMMA OF CRIME IN A FREE SOCIETY 15
VII. CRIME IN THE UNITED STATES 15
A. Current State of Crime 15
B. Reasons for Drop in Crime 16
C. Special Concerns: Present and Future 16
vii

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viii
■
Contents
VIII. PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE STUDY OF CRIMINAL
LAW 17
A. The Significance of Studying Criminal Law 17
B. About This Text: Applying State Law 18
C. The System Folder 18
IX. SAMPLE CASES 18
A. Case I 19
B. Case II 19
C. Case III 19
D. Case IV 20
E. Case V 20
F. Case VI 21
X. CONCLUSION 21
2
ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE
AND THE ROLE OF THE PARALEGAL
27
I. INTRODUCTION 28
II. LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES 28
III. PROSECUTORIAL AGENCIES 29
IV. DEFENSE BAR 30
V. CORRECTIONS AGENCIES 30
VI. CRIMINAL COURT SYSTEM 31
A. Court Structure 31
B. Jurisdiction 31
C. Criminal Procedure 32
VII. PROFESSIONAL ETHICS IN CRIMINAL LAW PRACTICE 36
A. Introduction 36
B. Adversary System 36
C. Role of the Prosecutor 37
D. Role of the Defense Attorney 38
E. Role of the Judge 40
VIII. ROLE OF THE PARALEGAL 41
A. Paralegal Tasks in Criminal Law Offices 41
B. Paralegal Ethical Responsibilities 42
C. Other Professional Considerations 45
D. Professional Development 45
IX. CONCLUSION 46
3
COMPONENTS OF A CRIME
51
I. INTRODUCTION 52
II. HARM OR LIKELY HARM: THE CLASSIFICATION
OF CRIMES 52
III. ACTUS REUS 53
A. Introduction 53
B. Voluntary and Involuntary Acts 53
C. Omissions 54
D. Possession 55
E. Status 56
IV. MENS REA 56
A. Introduction 56
B. Model Penal Code Definitions 57

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Contents ■ ix
C. General, Specific, and Transferred Intent 59
D. Concurrence 59
E. Strict Liability 59
V. CAUSATION 61
A. Introduction 61
B. Foreseeable Consequences 62
C. Supervening or Superseding Causes 62
VI. COMPLICITY 63
A. Introduction 63
B. Parties to Crimes 63
C. Actus Reus in Complicity 64
D. Mens Rea in Complicity 65
E. Abandonment 66
VII. VICARIOUS AND CORPORATE LIABILITY 67
A. Introduction 67
B. Vicarious Liability 67
C. Corporate Liability 68
VIII. CONCLUSION 71
4
CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS AND CRIMES
AGAINST HABITATION
77
I. INTRODUCTION 78
A. Elements of Crimes 78
B. Lesser Included Offense 78
II. CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS 79
A. Introduction 79
B. Homicide 80
C. Assault and Battery 93
D. Civil Rights Violations 104
E. Sexual Battery 105
F. Criminal Abuse 116
G. Kidnapping, False Imprisonment, and Custodial Interference 119
III. CRIMES AGAINST HABITATION 123
A. Introduction 123
B. Arson 123
C. Vandalism 125
D. Burglary 125
IV. CONCLUSION 128
5
CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY, PUBLIC ORDER
AND SAFETY, PUBLIC MORALS, AND JUSTICE
AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
137
I. INTRODUCTION 138
II. CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY 138
A. Introduction 138
B. Larceny 138
C. Embezzlement 141
D. False Pretenses or Fraud 142
E. Bad Checks 144
F. Receiving Stolen Property 144

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x
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Contents
G. Forgery and Uttering a Forged Instrument 144
H. Robbery 145
I. Extortion 148
J. Consolidated Theft 149
K. Cybercrimes 152
L. White-Collar Crime 154
III. CRIMES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER AND SAFETY 158
A. Introduction 158
B. Terrorism 159
C. Disorderly Conduct 160
D. Riot 161
E. Vagrancy and Loitering 161
F. Endangering Public Health and Environment 162
G. Use and Distribution of Firearms 163
IV. CRIMES AGAINST PUBLIC MORALS 164
A. Introduction 164
B. Nonviolent Sexual Conduct 164
C. Gambling 169
D. Drug Offenses 169
V. CRIMES AGAINST JUSTICE AND PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION 172
A. Introduction 172
B. Bribery 172
C. Perjury 173
D. Obstruction of Justice 174
E. Resisting Arrest 174
F. Escape 174
G. Contempt of Court 175
VI. CONCLUSION 175
6
INCHOATE AND ORGANIZED CRIMES
185
I. INTRODUCTION 186
II. ATTEMPT 187
A. Introduction 187
B. Mens Rea in Attempt 187
C. Actus Reus in Attempt 189
D. Defenses to Attempt 192
III. CONSPIRACY 193
A. Introduction 193
B. Mens Rea in Conspiracy 194
C. Actus Reus in Conspiracy 195
D. Defenses to Conspiracy 199
E. Hearsay Exception 200
F. Problems with Conspiracy 203
IV. SOLICITATION 205
V. RACKETEERING INFLUENCED AND CORRUPT
ORGANIZATIONS (RICO) 206
A. Introduction 206
B. RICO Elements 206
C. Extent of Control 207
D. RICO Conspiracy 207
E. State Organized Crime Statutes 207
VI. CONTINUING CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE (CCE) 207

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