1L Criminal Law Guide — Everything You Need to Know
Starting criminal law as a 1L can feel overwhelming. This guide breaks down what to expect, the topics you will cover, and how to prepare for exams.
What to Expect
Criminal Law is one of the foundational 1L courses. You will learn through the case method — reading appellate court opinions and extracting legal rules through class discussion. Expect to be cold-called and asked to explain the facts, holding, and reasoning of assigned cases.
Your grade will likely depend on a single final exam, typically a 3-4 hour essay exam that presents fact patterns requiring you to identify issues, state the relevant rules, apply them to the facts, and reach a conclusion (IRAC method).
Topics You Will Cover
●Actus Reus
●Mens Rea
●Homicide
●Inchoate Offenses
●Defenses
●Accomplice Liability
●Sentencing & Punishment
Key Cases to Know
Exam Strategies
- 1Always identify both actus reus and mens rea for every crime discussed.
- 2Distinguish between MPC and common law approaches — professors often test both.
- 3For homicide, work through the spectrum from first-degree murder down to involuntary manslaughter.
- 4Defenses should be analyzed last, after establishing the elements of the crime.