Criminal law worksheet with answers

In criminal cases, the prosecution must usually prove guilt:

1. AWith a confession
2. BOn the balance of probabilities
3. CWith at least three witnesses
4. DBeyond reasonable doubt

Burglary in English law (section 9 Theft Act 1968) requires that the defendant entered a building or part of a building:

1. AAt night time
2. BAs a trespasser
3. CWhile armed
4. DBy breaking a lock

Which is the difference between theft and robbery in English law?

1. ARobbery is theft accompanied by force or the threat of force
2. BTheft is always more serious than robbery
3. CRobbery does not require taking property
4. DRobbery involves only cars

Strict liability offences are offences where:

1. AOnly intentional acts count
2. BLiability arises only if the defendant was negligent as to every element
3. CThe defendant must confess
4. DNo mens rea is required for at least one element of the actus reus

D parks his car on a police officer's foot by accident, then refuses to move it once told. Under Fagan v MPC, this is:

1. AA mere omission without any duty to act
2. BNo offence, because the original act was accidental and mens rea arose only afterwards
3. COnly criminal damage to the officer's shoe
4. DA battery, because the act was continuing when the mens rea arose

D drives on the pavement to escape a man who is threatening to kill him. The most suitable defence is:

1. ADiminished responsibility
2. BConsent
3. CLoss of control
4. DDuress of circumstances

In R v Sullivan (1984), D injured a friend during an epileptic seizure. The House of Lords held:

1. AOnly psychiatric illnesses can be diseases of the mind
2. BD was guilty because he knew he was epileptic
3. CEpilepsy was an external factor, so the defence was automatism
4. DEpilepsy was a "disease of the mind" in law, so the defence was insanity

Which of these is NOT a qualifying trigger for the loss of control defence under section 55 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009?

1. AA fear of serious violence from the victim
2. BSexual infidelity, considered on its own
3. CThings said or done of an extremely grave character
4. DA combination of fear of violence and grave provocation