Question 1
Explain the purposes or rationales for punishment and the arguments in favor of each rationale. Include a discussion about current trends in punishment.
Question 2
Explain the relationship between the general and special parts of criminal law.
Question 3
What behavior deserves criminal punishment? Explain the purposes of criminal punishment (deterrence, incapacitation, rehabilitation)?
Question 4
Define presumption of innocence. What is the importance of the presumption of innocence as it relates to criminal liability?
Question 5
What are affirmative defenses? How do the burdens of production and persuasion relate to affirmative defenses?
Question 6
Explain the principle of proportionality. Describe how the principle relates to the death penalty and imprisonment.
Question 7
The Eighth Amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. Discuss the opinions in the following cases regarding the courts application of the prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment to the death penalty. Kennedy v. Louisiana (2008), Atkins v. Virginia (2002), Roper v. Simmons (2005). points
Question 8
Define, compare, and contrast constructive, actual, mere, and knowing possession. Be sure to provide an example of each.
Question 9
What is the legal definition of a voluntary act? Explain fault-based defenses and affirmative defenses and their relationship to the legal definition of a voluntary act. Provide examples.
Question 10
What are strict liability crimes? Provide an example. What are some of the arguments for and against such crimes? Do you think there should or should not be strict liability crimes? Explain your position.