Essential Criminal Law
Second Edition
Learning Objectives
- Understand the development of the common law of homicide and the historical distinction between murder and manslaughter.
- Describe the actus reus of homicide.
- Know the elements of first-degree premeditated murder.
- Understand the characteristics of capital and aggravated first-degree murder.
- Know the difference between first- and second- degree murder.
- List the elements of depraved heart murder.
- State the law of felony murder and compare and contrast the agency theory of felony murder with the proximate cause theory of criminal responsibility for felony murder.
- State the elements of voluntary and involuntary manslaughter.
- Explain misdemeanor manslaughter.
- Know the differing views on when life begins for purposes of homicide and the legal tests for determining death.