Discussion

Examining Criminal Statutes


1			Go to the library or look on the Internet for your state's criminal code. The criminal code is the body of statutory law, written by the legislature, which defines crimes and the punishments for those crimes. Write the definitions of the following crimes, according to your state's criminal code, in the space provided. Cite the provision (title, chapter, section) of the code for each definition. Specifically, note how each crime definition deals with the issue of malice aforethought, premeditation, or intent. Larceny (or theft) Robbery Prostitution Assault and/or battery




2			Does your state have a hate crime law? If so, how is hate crime defined? Write the definition in the space provided and give the citation for this law.




3			Does your state have a law that specifically defines domestic violence as a crime separate from crimes such as assault and battery? If so, write the definition in the space provided and give the citation for the law.




4			In your state, is it rape if a man forces his wife to have sex against her will? Should such an act be a crime?




5			In your state, can a man be the victim of rape? Should rape laws include men as victims? Write your state's legal definition of rape in the space provided and give the criminal code citation.