Elements,Defenses & Categories of Crime

Doing something that is prohibited by law

Not doing something required by law

The prosecutor must prove that the defendant intended the result

The prosecutor must prove that the defendant intended the act

An unintentional state of mind by which the prosecutor must prove that the defendant knew of a risk of harm but failed to guard against it

An unintentional state of mind by which the prosecutor must prove that the defendant should know of the risk of injury or death

For some crimes, the prosecutor must only prove the other elements of the crime,there is no state of mind requirement

The prosecutor must prove that the defendant's act caused the harm

This doesn't mean that the people were hurt or that property was damaged/stolen.The law was violated

Believing that the alleged victim was threatening to harm the defendant

Because of a mental defect/disease,the defendant didn't know right from wrong or couldn't conform his behavior to the law

The defendant does not deny that they had sex with the victim;the defendant claims that s/he reasonably thought the victim consented to sex

Common crimes such as:larceny,arson,and vandalism

Actual/threatened physical harm or physical invasion to the victim such as:murder,assault,and rape

Selling/possessing of illegal substances such as:controlled drugs or underage possessionof alcohol

Breaches of the peace,public indecency,and obscenity

Perjury,terrorism,and public bribery