Book Opener

defining involuntary manslaughter outlaws the accidental taking of aperson’s life. In both statutes the criminal act involves taking a life, butthe crime changes according to the state of mind of the person committingthe act.MotiveWhen television and movie detectives hunt for a criminal, theyalways seem to make the motive for a crime a crucial part of their case.This is misleading because motive actually plays no part in provingcriminal liability. If a person has committed a forbidden act with therequired state of mind, then he or she is criminally liable, regardless ofmotive.Defenses to CrimesIf you were a defense attorney, your job would be to try to showthat the prosecution failed to prove the required elements for the crimecharged to your client. The most common defenses include insanity,entrapment, self-defense, and defense of family members.Teen CourtsAuthorities have long sought ways to reduce teen crime. One approachthat many communities have adopted is to establish teen courts. In teencourts, teenagers serve as jurors, defense attorneys, and prosecutors. Thecourts hear the cases of teens who have committed a minor, first-timeoffense. These offenders get a chance to avoid the record that would resultfrom a juvenile court proceeding. They also learn a valuable lesson in howthe law works.Teen courts began in Texas in the 1970s and have since spread to morethan 30 states. They often are supported by funds from school districts, traditionalcourts, or by civic groups that hope to reach young offenders beforethey become hardened criminals. Statistics show that teen crime is generallydown in communities where such programs exist.Conduct Research Call or write the municipal governments in your area todetermine whether they have teen courts and how these courts work.Chapter 3: Criminal Law 59