Introduction to Criminal Law Concepts and Elements

Action

Physical act required for criminal liability.

Guilty State of Mind

Mental state necessary to establish criminal intent.

Intentionally

Acting with purpose to achieve a specific result.

Knowingly

Awareness of the nature of one's actions.

Willingly

Acting voluntarily with knowledge of consequences.

Carelessness

Lack of attention; insufficient for criminal liability.

Motive

Reason behind a person's criminal act.

Strict Liability Crimes

Crimes where intent is irrelevant to liability.

Elements of Crimes

Conditions that define a crime's legality.

Robbery

Taking property by force or intimidation.

DWI

Driving while intoxicated; BAC .08 or higher.

Prosecutor

Legal representative who brings charges in court.

State Crimes

Crimes prosecuted in state courts only.

Federal Crimes

Crimes prosecuted in federal courts only.

Principal

Person who directly commits a crime.

Accomplice

Person who assists in committing a crime.

Accessory Before the Fact

Orders a crime but is not present.

Accessory After the Fact

Helps avoid capture after a crime.

Crime of Omission

Failing to perform a legally required act.

Inchoate Crimes

Crimes in preparation for committing another crime.

Solicitation

Requesting someone to commit an illegal act.

Attempt

Effort to commit a crime beyond preparation.

Conspiracy

Agreement between two or more to commit a crime.

Overt Act

Clear step taken towards committing a crime.

Lying in Wait

Stalking a victim before committing a crime.

Reconnoitering

Surveillance of a location for criminal intent.