Criminal law worksheet with answers

The principle "nullum crimen sine lege" means that:

1. AAll crimes are punished with prison
2. BJudges can create new crimes freely
3. CLaws apply retroactively
4. DThere is no crime without a law defining it beforehand

Automatism as a defence refers to:

1. AActing under threats from another person
2. BActing without voluntary control over one's body
3. CActing under the influence of strong anger
4. DActing in the belief that the act is lawful

Which two elements usually make up a criminal offence?

1. AMotive and opportunity
2. BDuty and breach
3. COffer and acceptance
4. DActus reus and mens rea

D takes his own car from a garage without paying for repairs. Following R v Turner (No 2), D can be guilty of theft because:

1. AThe car was worth more after the repairs
2. BProperty belongs to anyone who has possession or control of it
3. COwners who take back their own property are always acting dishonestly
4. DD intended to return the car later

Two adult friends agree to a fist fight in the street, and one breaks the other's nose. Following A-G's Reference (No 6 of 1980), consent is:

1. AA full defence, because both adults freely agreed to the fight and accepted the risk of injury
2. BRelevant only to the sentence and never to guilt
3. CNo defence, because a street fight causing actual bodily harm is not in the public interest
4. DA defence only if the fight was planned in advance

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

1. AConsent
2. BDiminished responsibility
3. CDuress of circumstances
4. DLoss of control

In Sweet v Parsley (1970), a landlady was convicted of being concerned in the management of premises used for smoking cannabis. The House of Lords:

1. AHeld that cannabis offences require a commercial purpose
2. BHeld that landladies have a duty to search their tenants
3. CUpheld the conviction because drug offences are always strict liability in order to protect public health
4. DQuashed the conviction, holding that mens rea is presumed unless Parliament clearly excludes it

In English law, the partial defence of loss of control reduces murder to:

1. AGrievous bodily harm
2. BVoluntary manslaughter
3. CAn acquittal
4. DInvoluntary manslaughter