Penal Codes

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#1 Penal codes, also known as criminal codes, are a “collection of criminal statutes” that specifically define criminal activities in their jurisdictions and establishes the penalties enforced on those criminal acts (Cheeseman, 2013, p. 132). “Each state has criminal penal codes that list and defines the activities that are illegal in that state” (Cheeseman, 2013, p. 132). For example, the state of Kentucky defines theft as a Class D felony when the value of the stolen property is more than $500 but no more than $10,000, or involves a firearm or anhydrous ammonia (Goguen, n.d.). If convicted of Class D felony theft, an offender faces fines up to $10,000 and jail time less than a year and no more than five years (Goguen, n.d.). Likewise, regulatory statutes, both state and federal, establish criminal …show more content…
If a party voids a contract, then both parties are released from the obligations of the contract (Cheeseman, 2013, p. 186). If the party who has the option to void the contract decides to move forward with it, then the other party is legally obligated to perform the contract. In most, but not all, cases parties that are minors, insane, intoxicated, under duress, do not have contractual capacity and are legally able to disaffirm a contract (Cheeseman, 2013, p. 186). For instance, while Jamie was heavily intoxicated, he agreed to sell his car to Jamie for only $500 although it was valued at $5,000. After Jamie was sober, he realized what he had done and decided to end the contract due to his intoxicated state during the time of the agreement. Lastly, unenforceable contracts are contracts that are valid, but due to a defect, like the wrong medium are not enforceable (“Unenforceable,” n.d.). For instance, if a contract must be written, but is instead oral, it is unenforceable. However, parties can voluntarily perform the contract, despite it being unenforceable (Cheeseman, 2013, p.

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