Criminal Law Outlines for Law School
Professor-specific criminal law outlines covering mens rea, homicide, defenses, conspiracy, and every major 1L topic. Written by students who earned top grades, available for $9.99 each with instant access.
What's Covered in Our Criminal Law Outlines
Every essential topic from your 1L criminal law course, organized for exam success.
Mens Rea
Purpose, knowledge, recklessness, and negligence under the MPC framework. Specific vs. general intent at common law.
Actus Reus
Voluntary act requirement, omissions, possession offenses, and the concurrence principle linking act to intent.
Homicide
First-degree murder, second-degree murder, voluntary and involuntary manslaughter, and the distinctions between MPC and common law.
Felony Murder Rule
Inherently dangerous felony doctrine, merger limitation, agency vs. proximate cause theories, and modern limitations.
Inchoate Crimes
Attempt (substantial step test), solicitation, conspiracy (Pinkerton liability), and the defense of abandonment.
Defenses
Self-defense, insanity (M'Naghten, irresistible impulse, MPC), duress, necessity, intoxication, and entrapment.
Conspiracy
Bilateral vs. unilateral approach, Wharton's Rule, overt act requirement, Pinkerton liability, and withdrawal.
Accomplice Liability
Aiding and abetting, principal vs. accessory distinctions, natural and probable consequences doctrine.
Key Cases in Criminal Law
Landmark cases you will encounter in any criminal law course and find analyzed in our outlines.
People v. Patterson
Established that the prosecution bears the burden of proving every element beyond a reasonable doubt, shaping modern mens rea analysis.
Regina v. Dudley & Stephens
The foundational necessity defense case — two shipwrecked sailors killed and ate a cabin boy, and the court rejected necessity as a defense to murder.
M'Naghten's Case
Defined the M'Naghten insanity test: the defendant must not have known the nature of the act or that it was wrong.
People v. Decina
Addressed the voluntary act requirement when an epileptic driver caused a fatal accident, finding liability based on the voluntary act of driving.
State v. Norman
Tested the boundaries of self-defense in the context of battered spouse syndrome and non-imminent threat.
MPC vs. Common Law Approaches
Understanding when the Model Penal Code framework applies versus traditional common law rules is critical for every criminal law exam.
Why Use Briefly's Criminal Law Outlines
- Professor-specific outlines — matched to your school and professor so the content tracks exactly what you learned in class.
- Just $9.99 per outline — a fraction of what commercial services charge, with no recurring subscription required.
- Instant access — purchase and start studying immediately. No waiting for shipping or account approval.
- 40,000+ outlines available — the largest collection of law school outlines, covering every major subject and school.
- Written by top students — every outline comes from students who excelled in the course, so you get proven study material.
Ready to Ace Criminal Law?
Find professor-specific criminal law outlines for your school. $9.99 each with instant access.
Browse Criminal Law OutlinesFrequently Asked Questions
What topics do your criminal law outlines cover?
Our criminal law outlines cover every major 1L topic including mens rea, actus reus, homicide (murder and manslaughter), felony murder, inchoate crimes, defenses (self-defense, insanity, duress, necessity), conspiracy, and accomplice liability. Each outline is professor-specific, so it will match the emphasis of your course.
Are these outlines written for my professor's class?
Yes. Our outline bank includes professor-specific outlines from law schools across the country. Search by your school and professor to find outlines tailored to exactly how your class is taught. With over 40,000 outlines available, chances are we have one for your course.
How much does a criminal law outline cost?
Each outline is $9.99 with instant access. No subscription required — just pay once and download immediately. This is a fraction of what commercial outline services charge for less tailored content.
Can I use these outlines on my criminal law exam?
Many professors allow outlines on open-book exams. Our outlines are structured for quick reference during timed exams, with clear headings, rule statements, and case citations. Always check your professor's exam policy first.