CHAPTER FOUR
General
OBJECTIVE #1
Overall, in connection with Chapters 4-20, the trainee
should be able to identify any of the following crimes by its elements. This is a performance objective and practice
scenarios are given in class with the discussion of each crime. See Worksheet for examples.
Chapter Four Objectives
OBJECTIVE
#1
Pay close
attention to the use of the words "and" and "or" in the
statutes: "And" indicates
that an additional element or elements must be present to constitute the
offense. The word "or"
indicates that the single element is enough to constitute the offense.
OBJECTIVE #2 -
Identify what an “element” is when
examining these statutes. MCCH 4.2 An
element of a crime is a requirement that must occur - parts of the crime, all
of which must be present before the crime has been committed.
OBJECTIVE #3 -
Identify the elements of an
"attempt" crime and a "conspiracy" crime. MCCH - Chs. 4.2
and 4.3
I. Attempt.
A. An attempt is an offense in itself.
(1) Must have object crime.
(2) Still an offense even though object crime is
not completed.
B. Elements:
(1) Purpose to commit an offense and;
(2) Performed an act that was substantial step
toward commission of the offense.
C. Grading of Attempt.
(1) An attempt is one grade lower than the object
crime i.e. an attempt of a Class A Felony is a Class B Felony. All attempts to commit misdemeanor is Class
C Misdemeanor.
(2) Some attempts are treated as completed crimes
(page 54 - attempt to kill is 1st Degree Assault, Class A Felony if serious
injury inflicted.) Question: If A tries to kill B but only causes serious
injury, do you charge with Attempted 2nd Degree Murder or 1st Degree
Assault? Answer: Assault (Class A Felony - Attempted Murder
would only be Class B Felony).
(3) Remember - Attempts are clearly lesser
included offenses. You can be
prosecuted for attempt even if the crime was complete. Can't be guilty of both though.
Attempts
require higher mental state (purpose).
OBJECTIVE
#4
D. Distinguishing mere preparation from
substantial step is key question.
(1) What is a substantial step? MCCH 4.2 -
Any conduct strongly corroborative of the firmness of the actor's intent
to complete commission of crime. Note -
facts will determine.
(a) Question 1 Worksheet - Purchase of gun and
nothing else probably is not a substantial step. Not yet guilty - mere preparation.
(b) Question 1a Worksheet - Would you arrest if
you were driving by and saw this. Yes
or No. I think this is a substantial
step. Guilty. Remember mere preparation is not enough.
a. Impossibility is not a defense - i.e.,
apparent possibility is sufficient...
(1) So long as the desired result is still an
offense, i.e. the goal must be criminal.
b. Question 2 (Worksheet). Since X doesn't show - how can he be
guilty? Facts show that Defendant and X
had agreed on a time. X was supposed to
bring stolen property. Enough? Yes.
c. Question 2a. More facts. Officer
Hampton of St. Louis P.D. goes into Gus' Barber Shop. He has tape recorder in his pocket and he's dressed in plain
clothes. He carries an SK-21 Pioneer
Cassette Recorder in a plastic bag.
Radio is in its original bag. Gus
talks about Hampton's shoes needing shinning and then says, "How much did
that radio cost? Hampton said,
"260." Later Hampton says, "How about a bill for it
($100)." Gus says, "hey, I
got one already." Then he says,
"What's the cheapest you can go on this baby, right now cash
money." Hampton said
"$65." Gus said
"$50." Hampton took $50 and
said "I'm suppose to get a line on T.V.s too.....
(1) Can Defendant be convicted even if radio was
one that Hampton bought at Wal-Mart for use in the sting, i.e. how can
Defendant be guilty when the property wasn't really stolen? Answer:
Factual Impossibility doesn't matter, the goal is criminal. Conviction: Class D Felony, one step less
than object crime.
OBJECTIVE
#3, cont.
II. Conspiracy.
A. Elements.
1. Purpose to promote or facilitate commission
of an offense and;
2. Agreement with one or more people that they
will engage in conduct which constitutes the offense and;
3. At least one member of conspiracy commits an
overt act in furtherance of conspiracy.
a. Question.
How do these elements differ from attempt? Need an agreement with other people and only an overt act is
required, not a substantial step.
4. Grading.
a. A conspiracy to commit a crime is graded one
less than object crime (conspiracy to commit Class A Felony is Class B Felony)
b. Conspiracy to commit any misdemeanor or
infraction is a Class C misdemeanor.
5. A person cannot be convicted or charged with
both an offense and conspiracy to commit the offense.
6. Examples
a. Question 3 conspiracy (worksheet). Are they guilty? What element is missing?
Agreement.
7. Do you have to know the other conspirators?
a. If person knows that a person with whom he
conspires has conspired with another to commit the same offense - guilty of
conspiracy with others to commit, whether he knows their identity or not.
8. Other factors.
a. If person conspires to commit a number of
offenses, he is guilty of only one conspiracy so long as multiple offenses are
object of same agreement.
B. Renunciation.
Must
prevent the accomplishment of the objectives of the conspiracy under the
circumstances manifesting a renunciation of his criminal purpose, i.e., person
must succeed in thwarting the purpose of conspiracy. We are punishing the agreement.
Question
3A(1). Guilty
Question
3A(2) Still guilty unless actually
stopped crime.
Question
3A(3). Can't be charged with both
conspiracy and the offense. But can be charged
with separate crimes that are not the object offense. However, here C didn't steal auto. B could, C No.
OBJECTIVE
#4 -
An overt
act is one done in furtherance of and designed to carry out the purposes of the
conspiracy. MCCH 4.3
Question
3B. Overt Act. Telephone call in furtherance of conspiracy
enough if he'd been charged with conspiracy with N. State screwed up and charged him with
conspiracy with W. W & R drove
through the drive though together.
Drove through to ask about guard.
Approached restaurant together.
Court said circumstantial - but enough.
786 S.W.2d 119.
Revised 4/01