Criminal Law Issue Statements

Front 1

Opening Argument

Back 1

Washington statutory criminal law protects the peace and dignity of the State of Washington. Criminal law is generally governed by the Washington Criminal Code, RCW 9A.

Front 2

Requirements of a crime

Back 2

• A crime requires a culpable act or failure to act (actus reus) and usually requires a culpable mental state (mens rea) of intent, knowledge, recklessness, and criminal negligence.

Front 3

Washington jurisdiction

Back 3

• Washington has jurisdiction if the crime or any part of the crime is committed in Washington.

Front 4

Burden of proof

Back 4

• The prosecution has the burden to prove every element of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt.

Front 5

Criminal attempt

Back 5

• A criminal attempt to commit a crime applies if the ∆ does an act constituting a substantial step towards a commission of a crime.

Front 6

Criminal solicitation

Back 6

• Criminal solicitation applies if the ∆ offers anything of value to another to engage in specific criminal conduct.

Front 7

Criminal conspiracy

Back 7

• Criminal conspiracy applies when two or more people agree to commit a crime and any one of them takes a substantial step in furtherance of their agreement.

Front 8

Homicide

Back 8

• Homicide is the killing of a human being by the act, procurement, or omission of another.

Front 9

First degree murder

Back 9

• First degree murder requires premeditated intent to cause death, extreme indifference to human life, or commission of felony murder.

Front 10

Felony murder

Back 10

• Felony murder is the death of a third party non-participant that occurred during the attempt, act, or flight from a dangerous felony (burglary, arson, rape, robbery, or kidnapping).

Front 11

First-degree assault

Back 11

• First degree assault is when the ∆ acts with intent to inflict great bodily harm and causes great bodily harm or uses a deadly weapon or force likely to produce great bodily harm.