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Which of the following statements is true regarding the defense of insanity using the M’Naghten standard?

What is something both Gideon and Casey Anthony shared in common during their criminal trials as discussed in this module’s Key Concepts Lecture?

The basic elements of a crime are:  1. Actus Reus 2. Mens Rea 3. Correlation 4. Attendant Circumstances

Jimmy has epilepsy and is prohibited by law from driving. One morning he wakes up late. He doesn’t want to be late for work. If he takes the bus like he normally does, he will definitely be late for work. So he decides to take his roommate’s car and drive to work so he can still be on time. On the way, he has a seizure and the car crashes. In at least 100 words, explain whether Jimmy committed a voluntary act and why. Be sure to also define a voluntary act.

Which of the following elements distinguishes the crime of robbery from the crime of larceny, based on the definitions discussed in California v. Williams?

Only cause-in-fact or proximate cause must be met for the causation element to be satisfied.

We discussed the following hypothetical in the Key Concepts Lecture. You injured your friend and your friend needed stitches as a result. You brought your friend to get medical attention at a doctor’s office. While in the doctor’s office, a homicidal maniac opens fire and your friend is killed.  The causal chain in this hypothetical was broken by which factor?

Taylor is the treasurer of a student environmental organization at a public university. As part of her duties, she is issued a university-owned iPad to manage event budgets and track expenses. After her term ends, Taylor is asked to return the iPad, but she refuses, claiming she needs it to “finish up a few things.” Months later, she still hasn’t returned it and begins using it for personal purposes, including freelance work. The university contacts campus police, and Taylor is charged under a Florida theft statute similar to the one in State v. Siegel. The applicable statute reads, in part: “A person commits theft if he or she knowingly obtains or uses, or endeavors to obtain or to use, the property of another with intent to, either temporarily or permanently deprive the other person of a right to the property or a benefit from the property.” Under Florida law, “theft” includes conduct formerly known as larceny, false pretenses, embezzlement, conversion, or misappropriation. Using the facts above, and drawing on the court’s reasoning in State v. Siegel, discuss whether Taylor committed theft by embezzlement. In your response, you should define embezzlement under Florida law, evaluate whether Taylor lawfully possessed the property at the outset, and assess whether her later refusal to return the iPad and her personal use of it constitute fraudulent conversion. Finally, consider whether Taylor’s intent to deprive the university of the iPad—either temporarily or permanently—can be inferred from her actions, and conclude whether the elements of theft by embezzlement are met.

According to the reasoning in Lee v. State, what allows for a shoplifting conviction before the defendant exits a store?

In People v. Acosta (1991), the experts agreed that the helicopter that caused the crash engaged in reckless behavior. Explain why those negligent actions did not break the causal chain?