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×Atkins v. Virginia
United States Supreme Court | 536 U.S. 304 (2002)
Capital punishment of a mentally retarded individual constitutes cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
B (a minor) v. Director of Public Prosecutions
House of Lords | [2000] 1 All E.R. 833
It is a defense to a criminal offense that the defendant had an honest belief regarding an essential fact related to the criminal act.
Barber v. Superior Court
California District Court of Appeal | 195 Cal. Rptr. 484 (1983)
A physician is under no legal duty to continue futile life-sustaining support absent objection from a spouse and the withdrawal of such life-sustaining support with the consent of a spouse does not support a charge of murder.
Blake v. United States
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit | 407 F.2d 908 (1969)
A person is not responsible for criminal conduct if at the time of such conduct, as a result of mental disease or defect, he lacks substantial capacity either to appreciate the wrongfulness of his conduct or to conform his conduct to the requirements of law.
Blakely v. Washington
United States Supreme Court | 542 U.S. 296 (2004)
The statutory maximum is the maximum sentence a judge may impose based on the facts reflected by the verdict of the jury or admitted by the defendant, without any additional findings of fact.
Bordenkircher v. Hayes
United States Supreme Court | 434 U.S. 357 (1978)
The Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment is not violated when the prosecution seeks a more serious charge after the defendant has chosen to plead not guilty, provided the defendant was fully informed of the terms of the prosecution’s offer.
Brady v. United States
United States Supreme Court | 397 U.S. 742 (1970)
A guilty plea can still be voluntarily and intelligently made where a defendant is motivated to plead guilty by a desire to accept the probability of a lesser penalty rather than face the possibility of a sharper penalty upon conviction.
Burns v. State
Supreme Court of Wisconsin | 128 N.W. 987 (1911)
The finder of property of another who voluntarily takes it into his immediate possession is under a duty to preserve it as a bailee of that property and any later misappropriation for personal use constitutes larceny.
Cheek v. United States
United States Supreme Court | 498 U.S. 192 (1991)
An individual who, with knowledge and understanding of the law’s requirements, voluntarily and intentionally evades federal income tax laws shall be guilty of a felony.
City of Chicago v. Morales
United States Supreme Court | 527 U.S. 41 (1999)
An ordinance violates the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment if it is so vague that it fails to provide sufficient notice to citizens regarding the type of conduct prohibited and fails to provide adequate guidelines for law enforcement officers.
Clark v. Arizona
United States Supreme Court | 126 S.Ct. 2709 (2006)
A state’s determination that expert testimony about a defendant’s mental incapacity due to a mental disease or defect is admissible only for its bearing on an insanity defense, and is barred on the element of mens rea, does not violate Due Process.
Commonwealth v. Atencio
Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts | 189 N.E.2d 323 (1963)
Where there is mutual encouragement in a wanton and reckless joint enterprise, such conduct may be found to be a direct link in the death of another.
Commonwealth v. Beneficial Finance Co.
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court | 275 N.E.2d 33 (1971)
A corporation may be held criminally liable for the actions of its employees if those employees are placed in a position of authority to act for, and on behalf of, the corporation in handling particular corporate business.
Commonwealth v. Carroll
Pennsylvania Supreme Court | 194 A.2d 911 (1963)
In Pennsylvania, the specific intent to kill, required to prove first-degree murder, may be found from a defendant’s words or conduct, from the circumstances together with reasonable inferences, and from the intentional use of a deadly weapon upon a vital part of another human being.
Commonwealth v. Fischer
Superior Court of Pennsylvania | 721 A.2d 1111 (1998)
Mistake of fact that a victim consented to a defendant’s sexual conduct is not a defense to the crime of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse.
Commonwealth v. Malone
Pennsylvania Supreme Court | 47 A.2d 445 (1946)
If an individual commits an act of gross recklessness for which he must reasonably anticipate that death to another is likely to result, he exhibits that wickedness of disposition and cruelty which proves he possessed malice.
Commonwealth v. Mochan
Superior Court of Pennsylvania | 110 A.2d 788 (1955)
Any unlawful act which directly injures or tends to injure the public morals or health of the community is indictable.
Commonwealth v. Root
Pennsylvania Supreme Court | 170 A.2d 310 (1961)
Involuntary manslaughter requires unlawful or reckless conduct which is the direct cause of a resulting death.
Commonwealth v. Sherry
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court | 437 N.E.2d 224 (1982)
A rape victim is not required to use physical force to resist and any resistance which demonstrates that her lack of consent is honest and real shall suffice.
Commonwealth v. Tluchak
Superior Court of Pennsylvania | 70 A.2d 657 (1950)
One who is in lawful possession of the goods or money of another cannot commit larceny by feloniously converting them to his own use.
