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Penelope gives Emma a prescription bottle and tells Emma to deliver to the bottle to Melanie. Emma says Melanie will give Emma $1,500 for the bottle and that Emma is to give the money to Penelope. When Emma takes the bottle, the items inside the bottle shake around and sound as if it is filled with small pills. The prescription bottle has a label on it with someone’s name that Emma has never heard of. Emma shrugs and leaves to deliver the bottle. Emma does deliver the pill bottle to Melanie and collects the $1,500 as instructed. Melanie, as it turns out, is an undercover federal agent and arrests Emma.  (A) Will the government be able to prove Emma’s mens rea considering the willful blindness doctrine? Explain.  What if on the way to the delivery location, Emma makes a call to a criminal law attorney and relays the circumstances to him. The attorney tells Emma that she is likely not involved in any criminal conduct and need not worry. (B) Does the fact that Emma called an attorney change your analysis? Explain. 

What is the burden of proof required for a defendant making a self-defense claim?

Discuss the four key elements commonly used by courts to define the affirmative defense of “necessity.” In your response, describe each of the four factors in detail. Additionally, explain the underlying policy rationale for this defense and provide a specific example in which the necessity defense aligns with and supports this rationale.

What are the elements required for self-defense?

Steven and James get into a physical altercation. Steven honestly but unreasonably believes James pulls out a gun to shoot him so Steven stabs James quickly. James dies as a result of the stab wound. Which of the following is most likely to happen at common law?

Which answer best explains why Gideon was originally denied a government appointed lawyer during the first trial?

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.