Introduction to Criminal Law 

University of Pittsburgh -- Fall Term (98-1) -- AJ 8140/LglSt 8140

Instructor: Lee S. Weinberg, J.D., Ph.D.

Office: 3G22 Forbes Quad

Phone: (412) 648-2652

Email: Weinberg@vms.cis.pitt.edu

Required Text: Samaha, Joel, Criminal Law, Fifth Edition, (St. Paul: West Publishing Company, 1996)

Pennsylvania Crimes Code: Pennsylvania law may be found for specific crimes or definitions of legal concepts by clicking on the crime or concept below.

PART I: THE PURPOSE AND PRINCIPLES OF CRIMINAL LAW

I. What Is Criminal Law?

Reading: Samaha, Chapter 1

II. Legality and Constitutional Limitations

Reading: Samaha, Chapter 2

III. What Are The Elements of A Crime?

• General Definitions

• Requirement of a voluntary act

• Omission

• Possession

• Mens Rea

• Causality

• Grading of Crimes

Reading: Samaha, Chapter 3

IV. Who Can Be Held Responsible or Culpable for Crimimal Conduct?

• Accomplice Liability

• Complicity

• Corporate Liability

Reading: Samaha, Chapter 4

V. Are "Uncompleted" or Inchoate Crimes Still Crimes?

• Attempt

• Abandonment

• Impossibility

• Conspiracy

• Solicitation

• Possession of Devices for Theft of Telecommunications Services

• Possession of Weapons on School Property

Reading: Samaha, Chapter 5

VI. Defense: I Did It, But It Was Right To Do It -- Principles of Justification

• Justification Terms Defined

• Self-Defense

• Retreat Doctrine

• Defense of Others

• Defense of Home and Property

• Execution of Public Duties

• Resisting Unlawful Arrest

• "Choice of Evils" - Justification Generally

• Consent

• Military Orders or other Public Duties

• Special Responsibility for Others

Reading: Samaha, Chapter 6

MID-TERM EXAMINATION

VII. Defense: I Did It, But It Wasn't My Fault

• Duress

• Intoxication or drugged condition

• Mistake or Ignorance

• Age

• Entrapment

• Insanity

• Guilty, but mentally ill

Reading: Samaha, Chapter 7

PART II: SPECIFIC CRIMES

VIII. Homicides of Varying Degrees

• Murder

• Voluntary Manslaughter

• Involuntary Manslaughter

Reading: Samaha, Chapter 8

IX. Other Crimes Against Persons

• Sexual Offenses

• Sexual Offense Terms Defined

• Rape

• Statutory Rape

• Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse

• Sexual Assault

• Aggravated Indecent Assault

• Indecent Assault

• Indecent Exposure

Reading: Samaha, Chapter 9

X. Burning and Burglarizing Habitations

• Arson

• Burglary

Reading: Samaha, Chapter 10

XI. Other Crimes Against Property

• Robbery

• General Definitions

• Receiving Stolen Property

• Retail Theft

• Theft of Property Lost, Mislaid, or Delivered by Mistake

• Extortion

Reading: Samaha, Chapter 11

XII. Offenses Against Public Order and Morality

Reading: Samaha, Chapter 12

Final Examination

Grading/Attendance Policy: The grade will be based on a mid-term examination, a final exam, and contributions to class discussion. Students are expected to attend class and to be prepared to discuss the cases assigned for each class. Failure to attend, late arrivals and early departures, and lack of preparation will all be taken into account in evaluating your overall performance. The examinations will include questions about the cases as well as questions about the underlying legal concepts and legal rules.

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