Quick-reference explainer
Criminal Law One-Pager | BarPrepPlay
This Criminal Law one-pager keeps homicide, inchoate offenses, accomplice exposure, and defenses in a single scan-friendly format for quick repetition.
Overview
This Criminal Law one-pager keeps homicide, inchoate offenses, accomplice exposure, and defenses in a single scan-friendly format for quick repetition.
Homicide
1st degree: Premeditated. 2nd degree: Malice without premeditation. Voluntary MS: Heat of passion. Involuntary MS: Criminal negligence. On the exam, treat this as a checklist heading: state the governing rule first, name the trigger or element that matters, and then tie the facts to each part before moving to the next doctrine.
- Quick rule block: 1st degree: Premeditated. 2nd degree: Malice without premeditation. Voluntary MS: Heat of passion. Involuntary MS: Criminal negligence.
Section sources
Inchoate Crimes
Attempt: Specific intent + substantial step. Conspiracy: Agreement + overt act. Solicitation: Asking another to commit crime. On the exam, treat this as a checklist heading: state the governing rule first, name the trigger or element that matters, and then tie the facts to each part before moving to the next doctrine.
- Quick rule block: Attempt: Specific intent + substantial step. Conspiracy: Agreement + overt act. Solicitation: Asking another to commit crime.
Section sources
Accomplice
Intent to assist + actual assistance. Liable for crimes committed + foreseeable crimes of principal. On the exam, treat this as a checklist heading: state the governing rule first, name the trigger or element that matters, and then tie the facts to each part before moving to the next doctrine.
- Quick rule block: Intent to assist + actual assistance. Liable for crimes committed + foreseeable crimes of principal.
Section sources
Defenses
Self-defense: Proportional force. Insanity: M'Naghten (didn't know nature/wrong). Intoxication: Only specific intent. On the exam, treat this as a checklist heading: state the governing rule first, name the trigger or element that matters, and then tie the facts to each part before moving to the next doctrine.
- Quick rule block: Self-defense: Proportional force. Insanity: M'Naghten (didn't know nature/wrong). Intoxication: Only specific intent.
Section sources
Felony Murder
Death during BARRK felony (burglary, arson, robbery, rape, kidnapping). Agency theory: Killing must be by felon. On the exam, treat this as a checklist heading: state the governing rule first, name the trigger or element that matters, and then tie the facts to each part before moving to the next doctrine.
- Quick rule block: Death during BARRK felony (burglary, arson, robbery, rape, kidnapping). Agency theory: Killing must be by felon.
Section sources
Conspiracy Rules
Withdrawal: No defense to conspiracy (already complete). Only limits future liability. Pinkerton: Liable for co-conspirator crimes. On the exam, treat this as a checklist heading: state the governing rule first, name the trigger or element that matters, and then tie the facts to each part before moving to the next doctrine.
- Quick rule block: Withdrawal: No defense to conspiracy (already complete). Only limits future liability. Pinkerton: Liable for co-conspirator crimes.
Section sources
Primary law and source anchors
- Model Penal Code Sections 210.2 and 210.3 Modern homicide structure including murder, manslaughter, and extreme recklessness.
- Model Penal Code Section 2.06 Complicity rules on accomplice liability, solicitation, and withdrawal limits.
- Pinkerton v. United States, 328 U.S. 640 (1946) The classic co-conspirator-liability rule for foreseeable crimes in furtherance.
FAQ
Use it as a fast recall reset before you do active practice. It is designed to put the core frameworks back into working memory, not replace question practice.
Scan the one-pager first, then open the matching deep dive for full doctrine or the matching most-tested page for review priority. After that, move into a drill or mixed set.