Free Printable Worksheets for learning Criminal Law at the College level

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Criminal Law Info Sheet

Introduction

Criminal law refers to the branch of law that deals with crimes and their prosecution. It involves defining criminal offenses, determining punishment based on the severity of the offense, and establishing laws for criminal trials.

Key Concepts

Criminal Offenses: These are acts or omissions that are considered illegal and punishable by law. Examples include theft, murder, and assault.
Mens Rea: This Latin term refers to the mental state or intention behind committing a crime. It is an essential element in proving criminal liability.
Actus Reus: This Latin term refers to the guilty act or behavior that constitutes the crime. It is the physical aspect of a criminal offense.
Punishment: This refers to the legal consequences for committing a criminal offense. It can include fines, imprisonment, or even the death penalty.

Important Definitions

Felony: A serious criminal offense that carries a punishment of more than one year in prison.
Misdemeanor: A less serious criminal offense that carries a punishment of less than one year in prison.
Juvenile: A person under the age of 18 who commits a criminal offense.
Probation: A period of supervision during which a person must follow certain conditions instead of going to jail.

Important Laws

The Constitution: It outlines the fundamental rights of individuals and provides protections against unlawful searches and seizures, self-incrimination, and cruel and unusual punishment.
The Criminal Code: This federal law defines and classifies criminal offenses, sets out the procedural rules for criminal trials, and establishes penalties for offenses.
The Youth Criminal Justice Act: This law establishes the rules for dealing with young offenders, including sentencing, rehabilitation, and privacy rights.

Conclusion

Criminal law is a complex area of law that plays a critical role in ensuring public safety and upholding justice. Understanding key concepts, definitions, and important laws is essential for anyone studying law or seeking a career in criminal justice. Always seek legal advice when dealing with criminal charges.

Here's some sample Criminal Law vocabulary lists Sign in to generate your own vocabulary list worksheet.

Word	Definition
Accomplice	A person who helps another commit a crime
Alibi	Evidence that shows a defendant could not have been present at the scene of a crime
Arson	The criminal act of intentionally setting fire to property
Burglary	The criminal act of breaking into a building to commit theft or other serious crime
Conviction	A formal declaration of guilt entered by a court
Defendant	The person or group against whom a criminal charge is filed
Felony	A serious crime, such as murder or robbery, that is punishable by a prison sentence
Forgery	The criminal act of falsifying or altering a document with the intent to deceive or harm
Fraud	The criminal act of intentionally deceiving someone for personal or financial gain
Homicide	The killing of one person by another, whether intended or not
Incarceration	The act of putting someone in prison or other confinement
Indictment	A formal accusation of a crime made by a grand jury
Larceny	The criminal act of taking someone else's property without permission and with no intent
Misdemeanor	A minor crime, such as a traffic violation or a minor theft, that is punishable by a fine
Murder	The criminal act of intentionally killing another person
Perjury	The criminal act of lying under oath in court or during an official investigation
Prosecutor	The lawyer who represents the government in a criminal trial
Robbery	The criminal act of taking someone else's property through force or the threat of force
Sentence	The punishment given to a person convicted of a crime
Suspect	A person who is believed to have committed a crime, but who has not been formally charged yet
Victim	The person who is harmed or injured as a result of a crime

Here's some sample Criminal Law study guides Sign in to generate your own study guide worksheet.

Study Guide for Criminal Law

Introduction

Criminal law is the body of law that deals with crimes and their punishment. It is a branch of law that regulates social conduct and prohibits harmful acts. The study of criminal law involves understanding the elements of a crime, defenses to criminal charges, and the procedures involved in the criminal justice system.

Key Concepts

Elements of a Crime

The elements of a crime are the specific actions or intent required for a person to be convicted of a crime. There are two main components of a crime: actus reus (the guilty act) and mens rea (the guilty mind).

Defenses to Criminal Charges

When someone is accused of committing a crime, they may have various defenses available to them. Some common defenses include self-defense, insanity, duress, and entrapment.

Criminal Justice System

The criminal justice system is the set of institutions, policies, and practices that administer justice in cases of criminal behavior. It includes law enforcement agencies, courts, and correctional institutions.

Important Cases and Laws

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

This landmark case established the principle that anyone arrested must be informed of their right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.

Fourth Amendment

The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures and requires a warrant or probable cause for any search or arrest.

Study Tips

Read the assigned reading materials thoroughly and take notes on key concepts and vocabulary words.
Join a study group or create one of your own to discuss concepts and prepare for exams together.
Review past exams and quizzes to identify areas where you need improvement.
Ask questions in class and seek clarification from your instructor as needed.

Here's some sample Criminal Law practice sheets Sign in to generate your own practice sheet worksheet.

Criminal Law Practice Sheet

Instructions: Below are a series of legal scenarios. Read each scenario carefully and then answer the questions that follow. Be sure to write your answers in complete sentences and use proper legal terminology where appropriate.

Scenario 1

John is at a party and drinks a few beers. On his way home, he runs a red light and hits a pedestrian, causing serious injuries.

What crime, if any, has John committed?
What are the elements of this crime?
Can John use intoxication as a defense? Why or why not?

Scenario 2

Sara is angry with her neighbor, Tom, and decides to throw a rock through his window. Tom's young child is nearby and is struck by the rock, causing injury.

What crime, if any, has Sara committed?
What are the elements of this crime?
Can Sara use anger as a defense? Why or why not?

Scenario 3

Mark and Jake are walking down the street and see a person drop a wallet. Mark picks up the wallet and takes out all the cash before returning the wallet to the person.

What crime, if any, have Mark and Jake committed?
What are the elements of this crime?
Can Mark and Jake use ignorance as a defense? Why or why not?

Scenario 4

Amy is dating Bryan, but they break up. Bryan continues to call and text Amy constantly, despite her repeatedly asking him to stop.

What crime, if any, has Bryan committed?
What are the elements of this crime?
Can Bryan use ignorance as a defense? Why or why not?

Scenario 5

Max is a wealthy business owner who commits fraud to acquire even more wealth.

What crime, if any, has Max committed?
What are the elements of this crime?
Can Max use his wealth as a defense? Why or why not?

Scenario 6

George and his friends get drunk and decide to break into a convenience store. Once inside, they steal candy and beer.

What crimes, if any, have George and his friends committed?
What are the elements of these crimes?
Can George and his friends use intoxication as a defense? Why or why not?

Sample Practice Problem

Q: What is the definition of mens rea?

A: Mens rea is a legal term used to refer to a person's mental state when they commit a criminal act. It is often used to determine whether a person is guilty of a crime or not. Mens rea is Latin for guilty mind and is used to refer to the intent or knowledge of wrongdoing on the part of the accused. It is an essential element in many criminal cases and is used to determine the level of culpability of the accused. In order for a person to be found guilty of a crime, they must have had the intent to commit the crime. If the person did not have the intent to commit the crime, then they cannot be found guilty.

Criminal Law Practice Sheet

What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?
What is the meaning of the term “mens rea”?
What is the difference between an actus reus and a mens rea?
What is the difference between a strict liability crime and a general intent crime?
What is the difference between an accomplice and a principal in criminal law?
What is the difference between a crime of omission and a crime of commission?
What are the elements of a criminal act?
What is the difference between a criminal act and a civil wrong?
What is the difference between a tort and a crime?
What are the elements of criminal liability?

Here's some sample Criminal Law quizzes Sign in to generate your own quiz worksheet.

Criminal Law Quiz

Please provide the answer for each problem in the answer column.

Problem	Answer
What is mens rea?	_____________________
What is actus reus?	_____________________
What is the difference between murder and manslaughter?	_____________________
What is the difference between larceny and robbery?	_____________________
What is the difference between assault and battery?	_____________________
What is the difference between probation and parole?	_____________________
What are the elements of self-defense?	_____________________
What is the statute of limitations for a felony offense in your state?	_____________________
What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?	_____________________
What is the definition of accomplice liability?	_____________________

Note: Please answer all questions in your own words.

Problem	Answer
What is the definition of criminal law?	Criminal law is a body of laws that define and regulate the punishment of individuals who commit crimes.
What is the purpose of criminal law?	The purpose of criminal law is to deter people from committing crimes, to punish those who do commit crimes, and to provide justice for victims of crime.
What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?	A felony is a more serious crime than a misdemeanor. Felonies are usually punishable by imprisonment for more than one year, while misdemeanors are punishable by imprisonment for less than one year.
What is the difference between criminal and civil law?	Criminal law is concerned with punishing individuals for committing crimes, while civil law is concerned with resolving disputes between individuals.
What is the difference between criminal liability and criminal responsibility?	Criminal liability refers to the legal obligation of an individual to be held accountable for a crime, while criminal responsibility refers to the moral obligation of an individual to be held accountable for a crime.
What is the difference between an actus reus and a mens rea?	An actus reus is the physical act of committing a crime, while a mens rea is the mental state of committing a crime.
What is the difference between direct and circumstantial evidence?	Direct evidence is evidence that directly proves a fact, while circumstantial evidence is evidence that indirectly proves a fact.
What is the difference between a criminal trial and a civil trial?	A criminal trial is a trial in which the defendant is accused of committing a crime, while a civil trial is a trial in which the defendant is accused of breaching a contract or other civil wrong.
What is the difference between a jury trial and a bench trial?	A jury trial is a trial in which a jury of peers decides the outcome of the case, while a bench trial is a trial in which a judge decides the outcome of the case.
What is the difference between an acquittal and a conviction?	An acquittal is a verdict of not guilty, while a conviction is a verdict of guilty.

Quiz on Criminal Law

Question	Answer
What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?	A felony is a more serious crime that usually carries harsher punishments, such as imprisonment or fines, while a misdemeanor is a less serious crime that usually carries a lighter punishment, such as a fine or probation.
What is the difference between a criminal act and a civil wrong?	A criminal act is a violation of the law that is punishable by a fine or imprisonment, while a civil wrong is a violation of a person’s rights that is punishable by a monetary award.
What is the purpose of criminal law?	The purpose of criminal law is to protect society from harm by punishing those who break the law and deterring others from doing the same.
What is the difference between a criminal statute and a common law crime?	A criminal statute is a law that is written by a legislature and enforced by the government, while a common law crime is a crime that is based on the decisions of judges in previous cases.
What is the difference between a criminal act and a tort?	A criminal act is a violation of the law that is punishable by a fine or imprisonment, while a tort is a civil wrong that is punishable by a monetary award.
What is the difference between a crime and a tort?	A crime is a violation of the law that is punishable by a fine or imprisonment, while a tort is a civil wrong that is punishable by a monetary award.
What is the difference between an actus reus and a mens rea?	An actus reus is the physical act of committing a crime, while a mens rea is the mental state of mind that is necessary to commit a crime.
What is the difference between a direct and circumstantial evidence?	Direct evidence is evidence that directly proves a fact, while circumstantial evidence is evidence that implies a fact.
What is the difference between a criminal defense and an affirmative defense?	A criminal defense is a defense that is used to prove that the defendant is not guilty of the crime, while an affirmative defense is a defense that admits that the defendant is guilty but provides an excuse for the crime.
What is the difference between a criminal trial and a civil trial?	A criminal trial is a trial in which the government prosecutes an individual for a crime, while a civil trial is a trial in which an individual or entity sues another individual or entity for a civil wrong.