Crimes against the Person

Homicide is the killing of another human being; some homicides are excusable and others are crimes, usually felonies. Murder is a killing with "malice aforethought", which means an intentional killing.

The necessary intent needs only be an intention to cause great bodily harm or other actions taken with the knowledge that someone death will probably result. Murder is in the second degree unless there is a showing of deliberation and premeditation, in which case it is first-degree murder. No minimum time period or amount of planning is necessary to constitute deliberation and premeditation.

In some jurisdictions there is a felony-murder rule stating that any killing that takes place during the course of any felony will constitute murder. Under some circumstances, such as a killing during the commission of felony punishable by life imprisonment, it may be ranked as murder in the first degree. First-degree murder has a more severe penalty than second-degree murder, such as death penalty or life imprisonment with no parole.

A killing that takes place unjustifiably but in the heat of passion or under provocation is considered unintentional and, therefore, is defined as the less serious offence is manslaughter. In addition, grossly reckless behavior, such as driving a car while under the influence of a strong dosage of drugs or narcotics, may constitute manslaughter if someone death results.

There are many other crimes against the person. Kidnapping is the forcible confining or taking of a person against his will.

Robbery is the stealing of somebody property by using force against the person with custody of the property or by threatening that person and putting him in fear.

Assault and battery is an unjustified and intentional touching of another person with an intend to injure that person. An assault is simply an attempted assault and battery or a threat of an imminent assault and battery which puts someone in immediate and reasonable fear. Simple assault or simple assault and battery are usually misdemeanors.

There are numerous kinds of aggravated assaults, most of which are felonies. Some of them are aggravated by an additional element of intent, such as assault with intent to murder, rape, or rob.

LESSON 22

1. Grammar and Practice:	Subjunctive(cont.)
2. Topic Activities:	Terrorism
3. Speaking:	Discussion
4. Supplementary reading:	Organized Crime

GRAMMAR AND PRACTICE

Сослагательное наклонение

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14