CRIMINAL LAW

FALL 2010T, TH 6-6:50

Professor John Blevins jblevins@loyno.edu Room #460, 504.861.5853 Office Hours: T,W,TH by appointment

REQUIRED TEXTS: Joshua Dressler, Cases and Materials on Criminal Law (West5th ed. 2009) COURSE OBJECTIVES: This is an introductory course covering basic substantive criminal law. The course will explore the basic elements of crimes and various defenses. The objectives of the course are to teach students to effectively analyze criminal law statutes and to develop their legal reasoning and critical thinking skills. READING ASSIGNMENTS: You are responsible for the readings assigned below, and are expected to be prepared to discuss them in class. You are also expected to check your email for any additional readings I may assign throughout the semester (though I will give you ample notice). Consistent failure to be prepared for class may result in a reduction of your grade. If there are reasons you cannot be prepared for class, please contact me beforehand. Class materials (such as syllabus, supplementary handouts) will be made available on Blackboard. GRADING: Your grade will be determined by your final examination along with any reductions from consistent failures to be prepared. ATTENDANCE: Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class. If you miss 20% of the scheduled classes, you will notas a matter of school policybe allowed to sit for the final examination. You are responsible for all material, announcements and assignments given during classes that you missed.

You are also expected to be on time. If you must be late for class, please take the first available seat and do not climb over other students to get into the middle of the row. Also please turn off or silence cell phones. Texting and instant messaging in class are prohibited and will be considered as a failure to prepare for class, which could ultimately lead to a grade reduction. OPEN DOOR POLICY: In addition to office hours, you are welcome to drop by anytime Im in my office. You may also schedule a time to meet. NOTE: The syllabus is subject to change at my discretion. You will be given ample notice of any changes. DISABILITY SERVICES/ACCOMMODATIONS: If you have special needs (e.g., alternative testing), please contact Dean Stephanie Jumonville in the law school or Sarah Mead Smith, Director of Disability Services, in the Academic Resource Center in Monroe Hall, Room 405, (504) 865-2990.

READING ASSIGNMENTS INTRODUCTION Class 1: Purposes of Criminal Law and Punishment: 34-36, 40-41, 81-86 & handout Class 2: Legality: 92-105, 113-19 OFFENSE REQUIREMENTS Class 3: Actus Reus: 127-35, 142-48 Class 4: Mens Rea: 149-175 Class 5: Mens Rea contd: (Same reading as Class #4) Class 6: Strict Liability: 177-93 Class 7: Mistake: 194-213 HOMICIDE Class 8: Homicide and Intentional Murder: 253-64 Class 9: Manslaughter: 264-71, 308-315 Class 10: Felony Murder: 315-18, 326-42 Class 11: Capital Murder: 345-61 INCHOATE OFFENSES Class 12: Inchoate and Attempt: 738-53 Class 13: Attempt contd: 765-88 Class 14: Conspiracy: 806-24

ACCOMPLICE LIABILITY Class 15: Accomplice: TBA Class 16: Accomplice, contd: TBA DEFENSES JUSTIFICATION AND EXCUSE Class 17: General Principles; Self Defense: 500-16, 525-31 Class 18: Self Defense, contd: 532-59 Class 19: Necessity: 560-79 Class 20: Duress: 583-86, 591-97 Class 21: Intoxication and Insanity: TBA Class 22: Insanity, contd: TBA Class 23: Other Defenses: TBA MISCELLANOUS CRIMES Class 24: Rape: 404-425 Class 25: Theft: 916-41 Class 26: Other Crimes: TBA Class 27: Other Crimes: TBA Class 28: Catch-up and Review