Common Defenses to Criminal Conduct

The video tutorial discusses various defenses in criminal law, focusing on mental capacity defenses such as insanity and youth, which can negate the ability to appreciate the nature of one's actions. It also covers specific intent crimes, where a mistake of fact can negate the Mens Rea required for a crime. General intent crimes are discussed, highlighting that defenses like intoxication do not alter liability. Other defenses include duress, necessity, entrapment, and self-defense. The tutorial emphasizes negating elements of a crime, such as actus reus and Mens Rea, to make conduct legal.

Which of the following is a common defense related to mental capacity in criminal law?

• Duress

• Self-defense

• Insanity

• Entrapment

What is the primary focus of defenses that negate specific intent in criminal law?

• To negate the Mens Rea required by the statute

• To prove the defendant was intoxicated

• To demonstrate the defendant acted in self-defense

• To show the defendant was under duress

How does a mistake of fact defense affect a specific intent crime?

• It increases the severity of the crime

• It can relieve the mental intent necessary for the crime

• It automatically leads to a conviction

• It has no effect on the crime

Which of the following is NOT a general defense in criminal law?

• Self-defense

• Necessity

• Entrapment

• Mistake of fact

What is an example of a situation where necessity might be used as a defense?

• Assaulting someone in a fit of rage

• Lying under oath to protect a friend

• Stealing because of financial hardship

• Breaking into a house to escape a fire