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CHAPTER3
CONSTITUTIONS, STATUTES, ADMINISTRATIVE LAW, AND
COURTRULES—RESEARCHANDANALYSISLecturePlan/ChapterOutline
I . INTRODUCTION LawspassedbyCongressorstatelegislaturesaregenerallycalledactsorstatutes.Thisbody
oflawiscommonlyreferredtoasstatutorylaw.Ordinancesarelawsusuallypassedbylocal
governing bodies, such as city councils and county commissions. Administrative agencies,
undertheauthoritygrantedbylegislativebodies,adoptrulesandregulationsthathavethe
forceoflaw.
Statutoryanalysis istheprocessofdeterminingifastatuteapplies,howitapplies,and
theeffectofthatapplication.
I I . ANATOMY OF A STATUTE Understanding the structure of statutory law is essential to effective statutory analysis. A
researchermustbeabletoidentifywhetherthestatutoryscheme(organizationalstructureof
thestatutorylaw)assistsindeterminingifaparticularstatuteisapplicabletoasetoffactsor
whetherothersourcesneedtobeconsultedtodeterminetheapplicabilityofthelaw.
A. Numbers
Eachstatutehasnumbersassignedforeachsectionofthestatute.
Most laws are divided into broad categories, each of which is assigned a number.
Thosebroad categories aredivided into topicsor smaller categories that are also assigned
numbers.Thetopicsarefurtherdividedintosubtopics,eachofwhichisassignedanumber,
andsoon.
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B. Short Tit le
Theshorttitleisthenamebywhichthestatuteisknown.
C. Purpose Clause
Thepurposeclause includesthepurposethelegislativebodyintendedtoaccomplishwhen
draftingthestatute.
D. Scope
Somestatuteshavesectionsthatstatespecificallywhatisandisnotcoveredbythestatute.
Thesearecalledscopesections.
E. Definit ions
Somestatuteshavedefinitionssectionsthatdefinetermsusedinthestatute.
F. Substantive Provisions
The substantive sections set forth the substance of the law. They establish the rights and
dutiesofthosegovernedbythestatute:thatwhichisrequired,prohibited,orallowed.
The substantive sectionsmay include sections thatprovide remedies, suchas finesor
imprisonment incriminalcases.Theremaybesectionsgoverningprocedure,suchaswhich
courthasjurisdictionoverthematterscoveredbythestatute.
G. Annotations/Reference Information
Following each section of a statute is reference information, usually referred to as
annotations,whichincludes:
▪ The history of the section, including dates of amendment. It may also include
summariesoftheamendmentsandpreviousstatutorynumbersifthesectionnumber
haschangedduetoarecodification
▪ Historicalandstatutorynotes
▪ Officialcommentsonthesection
▪ Cross-referencestootherrelatedstatutes
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▪ Library references/researchguides—references toother sources thatmaybeuseful
whenanalyzingthestatute,suchasbooks,digestkeynumbers,lawreviewandother
articles,ALRcites,andlegalencyclopediacitesthatdiscussthesection(C.J.S.,Am.Jur.
2d,etc.)
▪ Notes to decisions—the name, citation, and summaries of key court decisions that
havediscussed,analyzed,orinterpretedthestatute
Annotationsaresourcesofinformationandarenotpartofthestatute.Theyarenotthe
lawanddonothavelegalauthority.
I I I . STATUTORY RESEARCH—LOCATING STATUTES Statutoryresearch istheprocessoffindingthestatutorylawthatappliestoaproblem.The
U.S. Constitution is includedwith theUnited StatesCodeAnnotatedand theUnited States
Code Service, themain research sources for federal law, andmost state constitutions are
includedwiththestatestatutes.
A. Federal Law
1. Publication
ThefulltextofeachlawispublishedseparatelybytheU.S.GovernmentPrintingOfficeandis
referredtoasaslip law.AttheendofeachsessionofCongress,thesliplawsareplacedin
chronologicalorder (organizedaccording to thedate the lawwaspassed)andpublished in
volumestitledtheUnitedStatesStatutesatLarge.
IntheUnitedStatesCode,thelawscontainedintheUnitedStatesStatutesatLargeare
organized(codified)bysubjectinto50categoriescalledtitles.TheUnitedStatesCodeisthe
officialcodeofthelawsoftheUnitedStates.Apublicationofacodeoflawsisconsideredan
official code when the government itself publishes the code or arranges for or directs a
commercialpublishertopublishthecode.
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2. United States Code Annotated
TheUnitedStatesCodeAnnotated(USCA) isnotanofficialcode,as it ispublishedbyWest
Group(andisavailableonWestlaw).TheUSCAconsistsofapproximately200volumes.The
firstvolumescontaintheU.S.Constitutionwithannotations.Subsequentvolumesincludethe
entiretextofthe50titlesoftheUnitedStatesCode.TheUSCAincludes:
a. GeneralIndex
b. PocketPartsandSupplementaryPamphlets
c. PopularNameTable—alistofthepopularnamesofstatutes,suchasthe
AmericanswithDisabilitiesActandtheFreedomofInformationAct
d. ConversionTables—canbeusedtofindwherethelawisclassifiedintheUSCA
3. United States Code Service
TheUnitedStatesCodeService(USCS)isnotanofficialcode,asitispublishedbyLexisNexis.
TheUSCS consists of approximately 150 volumes and contains thewording of the federal
statutespublishedintheStatutesatLarge.
SimilaritiesbetweentheUSCAandUSCSarethatbothsets:
1. Areorganizedinthesameway
2. Havegeneralindexes,popularnametables,andconversiontables
3. Areannotated
4. Aresimilarlyupdated
DifferencesbetweentheUSCAandUSCS:
1. TheUSCAincludesmorecourtdecisionsinthe“NotesofDecisions”sectionofthe
annotations. The USCS tends to be more selective and references the more
significantcases.
2. The “ResearchGuide” sectionofUSCSannotations ismore comprehensive than
the“LibraryReference”sectionoftheUSCAinthatitincludesmorereferencesto
researchsources.
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3. The supplements to the USCS, called the Cumulative Later Case and Statutory
Service,arecumulative.
4. In the USCA, the topics covered in the “Notes to the Decisions” are arranged
alphabetically; in theUSCS, the “InterpretiveNotes andDecisions” arearranged
accordingtotopic.
B. State Statutory Law and Codes
The enactment and publication of state legislation varies in detail from state to state, but
moststatecodesaresimilartotheUSCAandUSCSinthefollowingways:
▪ Eachsethasageneralindex,andsomesetshaveaseparateindexfollowingeachtitle.
▪ Somestatuteshavepopularnametablesandconversiontablesthatcanbeusedto
locatestatutesthathavebeenrenumberedorrepealed.
▪ The statutesareorganizedby subject,witheach subject titlebeing subdivided into
chapters,andsoon.
▪ Thestateconstitutionwithannotationsisincludedinthecode.
▪ Statecodesareusuallyupdatedannuallybysomeformofsupplement.Thesemaybe
pocketpartsinsertedinthestatutoryvolumeorseparatepamphlets.
▪ State statutes are annotated. The annotations include the history of the
section, cross-references toother statutes, researchguides, andnotes to
courtdecisions.
C. The Research Process—Techniques and Strategies
1. Locate the Statute
Thebeginningstepofall research, includingstatutory research, is to identifywhatyouare
looking for as precisely and narrowly as possible. After you have defined your search as
conciselyaspossible,therearethreemainwaystoapproachlocatingastatute:
a. GeneralIndex
b. TitleTableofContents
c. PopularName
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2. Update Your Research
Afteryou locateastatute,check thepocketpartsandsupplementarypamphlets toensure
thatthestatutepublishedinthemainvolumehasnotbeenamendedorrepealed.Checkalso
theannotationstolocatenewcaselawthatmayaffecttheinterpretationofthestatute.
D. Ethics—Competence and Dil igence
There are considerationsofethics to keep inmindwhen conducting any kindof research.
Rule1.1oftheAmericanBarAssociation’sModelRulesofProfessionalConductrequiresthat
aclientbeprovidedcompetentrepresentation.Rule1.3providesthataclientberepresented
withdiligenceandpromptness.
IV. ADMINISTRATIVE LAW The body of law that results from the rules and regulations and the court opinions
interpretingthemiscalledadministrativelaw.
A. Federal Administrative Law
1. Publication
Administrativeregulationsarepublishedintwosources:
a. FederalRegister.TheFederalRegisterisadailypublicationofthefederalgovernment
thatpublishes:
• Presidentialdocumentssuchasexecutiveorders
• Rulesandregulations
• Proposedrulesandregulations,includingsummariesofproposedrulesandnotices
ofhearings,personstocontact,andothers
b. CodeofFederalRegulations(CFR).Theregulationsofadministrativeagenciesare
codifiedinthismultivolume,softboundsetofbooks.
1. Researching Federal Administrative Law
ThefollowingguidesfocusonresearchingtheCFR.
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a. Indexesandtableofcontents
b. Othersourcesforlocatingrulesandregulations—secondarysources,suchaslawreview
articlesandALRannotations
c. FederalRegister
d. Computer-aidedresearch
e. Courtandadministrativedecisions—maybeavailablethroughtheGovernmentPrinting
Officeandthroughcommercialpublishers,suchasCCHandBNA(discussedinthis
chapter);administrativeandcourtdecisionscanalsobeaccessedthroughWestlawand
LexisNexis
f. Updatingadministrativelawresearch—theCodeofFederalRegulationsisupdatedbyconsultingtheListofCFRSectionsAffected(LSA)
B. State Administrative Law
Thepublicationofstaterulesandregulationsvariesfromstatetostate.Thepublicationand
research of state administrative law often follows in varying degrees that of federal
administrativelaw.
V. COURT RULES Court rules regulatetheconductofmattersbroughtbeforethecourt.TheFederalRulesof
CivilandCriminalProcedureareincludedintheUnitedStatesCode.
The state and federal rules are available on Westlaw and LexisNexis, through
http://www.findlaw.comandthestateorindividualcourtwebsite.
Localrulesarespecifictothecourtandgenerallygovernadministrativematterssuchas
thesizeofpapersaccepted, thenumberofcopiesofpleadings thatmustbe filedwith the
original,andhowtofilebyfacsimiletransmission.
VI. ANALYSIS—THE PROCESS Theanalysisofenactedlawandcourtrulesisaprocessofdeterminingifalawapplies,howit
applies,andtheeffectofthatapplicationtoaspecificfactsituation.Whenanalyzingalegal
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problemoraddressinganissuegovernedbyaconstitutional,statutory,oradministrativelaw
provision,oracourtrule,itishelpfultohaveanapproach—ananalysisprocess.Athree-step
approachisrecommended.
A. Step 1: Determine If the Statute Applies
1. Locateallapplicablestatutes.
2. Determinewhich statutes applyby askingdoes the general areaof law coveredby
thisstatuteapplytotheissueraisedbythefactsofmyclient’scase?
▪ Reference to case law may be necessary to determine if a statute governs a
situation.
▪ It may be that two laws govern a legal question. In this event, two causes of
actionmaybeavailable.
▪ Always check the effective date of the statute to be sure that the statute is in
effect.
▪ Alwayscheck thesupplements to thestatute tomakesure that thestatuteyou
areresearchingisthelatestversion.
B. Step 2: Analyze the Statute
Carefullyreadandanalyzethestatutetodeterminehowitapplies.Somestatutesarelengthy
anddifficulttounderstand.Step2involvestwoparts:
1. Read the Statute
a. Readthestatutecarefullyseveraltimes.
b. Doesthestatutesetastandardormerelyprovidefactorsthatmustbeconsidered?
c. Doesthestatuteprovidemorethanoneruleortest?Areotherrulesortestsavailable?
Arethereexceptionstotheruleortest?
d. Allthewordsandpunctuationhavemeaning.Alwayscheckthedefinitionssectionfor
themeaningofaterm.
e. Reviewtheentirestatute(allsections)todetermineifothersectionsinsomewayaffect
orrelatetothesectionyouareresearching.
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f. Certaincommonterminologymustbeunderstood.Beawareofthemeaningof
commonlyusedtermssuchasshall,may,and,and/or.Shallmakesthedutyimposed
mandatory.Itmustbedone.Mayleavesthedutyoptional.Ifandisused,allthe
conditionsorlisteditemsarerequired.Ifthetermorisused,onlyoneoftheconditions
orlisteditemsisrequired.
g. Keepinmindthecannonofconstructionswhenreading.
2. Identify the Statutory Elements
Whatdoes the statute specificallydeclare, require, orprohibit?Ask yourself,what specific
requirementsmustbemetforthestatutetoapply?Whataretheelements?Forastatuteto
apply, certain conditions established by the statute must be met. These conditions or
componentsofthestatutearecalledstatutoryelements.Aftertheelementsareidentified,
youcandeterminehowthestatuteapplies.
Identify the elements or requirements of the statute by reading the entire statute,
analyzingeachsentencewordbyword,andlistingeverythingthatisrequired.
C. Step 3: Apply the Statute to the Legal Problem or Issue
Thisentailsapplyingormatchingthefactsoftheclient’scasetotheelementsofthestatute.
Matchtheclient’sfactswiththerequiredelementsofthestatute.
1. Chart Format
Utilizeachartthatliststheelementsofthestatute.
2. Narrative Summary
Useanarrativesummaryoftheelementsandhowthefactsofthecasematchorestablish
theelements.
VII . GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS Always keep inmind twomajor considerations and guidelines when engaged in statutory
analysis:
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1. Legislativehistory
2. Canonsofconstruction
Theplain meaning rulemandates that a statutewill be interpreted according to its plain
meaning. Words will be interpreted according to their common meanings. The court will
render an interpretation that reflects the plainmeaning of the language and is consistent
withthemeaningofallothersectionsoftheact.
A. Legislative History
Legislative history is the record of the legislation during the enactment process before it
became law. It is composed of committee reports, transcripts of hearings, statements of
legislatorsconcerningthelegislation,andanyothermaterialpublishedfor legislativeuse in
regardtothelegislation.
B. Canons of Construction
Canonsof constructionare rulesandguidelines thecourtsusewhen interpretingstatutes.
Theplainmeaningrulegovernswhenthecanonsofconstructionapply.Ifthemeaningofthe
statuteisclearonitsface,thenthereisnoroomforinterpretationandacourtwillnotapply
thecanonsofconstruction.
1. Expressio Unius
The entire Latin phrase is expressio unius est exclusio alterius, which translates as “the
expression of one excludes all others.” If the statute contains a list of what is covered,
everythingelseisexcluded.
2. Ejusdem Generis
The Latin term ejusdem generismeans “of the same genus or class.”Whenever a statute
contains a specific list followed by a general term, the general term is interpreted to be
limitedtootherthingsofthesameclassorkindasthoseinthelist.
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3. Pari Materia
TheLatinphraseparimateria translatesas “on the samesubjectmatter.” Statutesdealing
withthesamesubjectshouldbeinterpretedconsistently.
4. Last Antecedent Rule
Qualifyingwordsandphrasesapply to thewordsorphrase immediatelyprecedinganddo
notextendtoothermoreremotewordsorphrases.
5. Intended Remedy
Statutesaretobeinterpretedinamannerthatfurtherstheintendedlegislativeremedy.
6. Entire Context
Thewords,phrases,andsubsectionsofastatutearetobeinterpretedinthecontextofthe
entirestatute.
7. Constitutionality
Statutes are assumed to be constitutional and should be construed in a manner that
preservestheirconstitutionality,ifpossible.
8. Criminal Statutes
Criminalstatutesaretobenarrowlyinterpreted.
VII I . CITING CONSTITUTIONS, STATUTES, ADMINISTRATIVE LAW, AND COURT RULES
A. Cit ing Constitutions
ThecitationformatforconstitutionsisinBluepagesB11andRule11oftheBluebookand
Rule13oftheALWDGuide.
B. Cit ing Statutes
The citation format for statutes can be found in Bluepages B12 and Rule 12 of the
BluebookandRule14oftheALWDGuide.
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1. General Rules When Citing Statutes
a. OfficialversusUnofficialCodes.
Theofficialcodeshouldbecitedwhenastatuteisfoundtherein.Citingtounofficial
codesispermissiblebutrequiresthatthenameofthepublisher,editor,orcompiler
beincludedintheparentheticalwiththeyearofthecode.
b. PrintversusElectronicDatabases
When citing a print source be mindful of whether material is taken from main
volumesorsupplementalvolumes.
c. SectionSymbolandMultipleSections
Thesectionsymbolisusedtoindicateasectionofastatute.
d. ShortCitationFormat
Once citation to a statute has been presented in a document in the full format,
subsequentcitesmaybeinshortcitationformat.
2. Session Laws and Sl ip Laws
Ifacitationisnotavailableintheofficialorunofficialcodes,thenitisappropriatetocite
thesessionlaw.
C. Cit ing Administrative Law
ThecitationformatforadministrativelawcanbefoundinBluepagesB14adRule14ofthe
BluebookandRule19oftheALDWGuide.
D. Cit ing Court Rules
The citation format for court rules can be found in Bluepages B12 and Rule 12 of the
BluebookandRule17oftheALWDGuide.
E. Sections and Paragraphs
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TeachingTips
Emphasize that knowing the anatomy of a statute (the statutory sections, such as the
definitionsection,scope,andsubstantiveprovisions)isimportantandthattheentirestatute
shouldbereviewed,notjustasubstantiveprovision.Forexample,studentsmaytendtoread
only the substantive statute they have looked up and fail to read the definition section or
othersectionsofthestatutethatmayaffecttheapplicationofthesectiontheyhavelocated.
Also,emphasizethevalueofthereferenceinformationfollowingthestatutoryprovision.
Emphasizethat,whenanalyzingastatute,itisimportanttoidentifyalltherequirements
(elements)ofthestatuteandthattheremustbefactsthatmeeteachelementforthestatute
toapply.
SuggestedAssignments
1. Refer toAssignment7of theChapterExercises.Havestudentsrefer tothestatutes
andanswerthefollowingquestions.
▪ Howismurderinthefirstdegreedefined?
▪ Doesyourstaterecognizenuncupativewills—and,ifso,whatisrequired?
▪ Doesyourstateallowholographicwills—andifso,whatisrequired?
▪ WhatisthecitationoftheStatuteofFraudssectionoftheStateCommercialCode?
▪ Does your state have a statute protecting privileged communications between
spouses?Ifso,whatisthecitationandwhatcommunicationsareprivileged?
2. Have students locate your state law governing nuncupative wills and complete
Assignment12A–Dusingthatlawratherthanthelawpresentedinthisassignment.
3. Have students locate the statuteof frauds sectionof your state’s commercial code
and complete the assignment using that law rather than the law presented in
Assignment13A–C.
4. Have students locate your state law governing privileged spousal communications
and complete Assignment 14A–C using that law rather than the law presented in
Assignment14.
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TextAssignments:AnswersASSIGNMENT1
Answerswillvarydependingonthestate.
ASSIGNMENT2
TheFairHousingAct,42U.S.C.§3601et.seq.Theeasiestwaytofindthisisbyconsultingthe
popularnametableunder“FairHousingAct.”Whether thestatehasa lawdependson the
state.
ASSIGNMENT3
17U.S.C.A.§1001,underCOPYRIGHTS—DigitalaudiorecordingdeviceinUSCAindex.Section
1001(3):
A“digitalaudiorecordingdevice”isanymachineordeviceofa
typecommonlydistributedtoindividualsforusebyindividuals,
whetherornotincludedwithoraspartofsomeothermachine
ordevice,thedigitalrecordingfunctionofwhichisdesignedor
marketed for the primary purpose of, and that is capable of,
makingadigital audio copied recording forprivateuseexcept
for—
(A) Professionalmodelproducts,and
(B) Dictation machines, answering machines, and other
audio recording equipment that is designed and
marketedprimarilyforthecreationofsoundrecordings
resultingfromthefixationofnonmusicalsounds.
AnswerswillvaryregardingwhatInternetsourcewasused.
AnswershouldbeYesifcheckingthecurrentnessofthesectionwasallowed.
In June 2017 answer is Current through P.L. 115-40. Answer will vary with each passing
legislativesession.
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ASSIGNMENT4
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, 12 U.S.C. §4520. Under MINORITY BUSINESS
ENTERPRISE—FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation.
12U.S.C.A.§1833einprintwaslastupdatedMarch2014,butifaschoollibrarydoesnotkeep
theirU.S.C.A.updated,answersmayvary.
AnswerswillvaryregardingwhatInternetsourcewasused.
AnswershouldbeYesifcheckingthecurrentnessofthesectionwasallowed.
In June 2017 answer is Current through P.L. 115-40. Answer will vary with each passing
legislativesession.
ASSIGNMENT5
18U.S.C.A.§175,theauthorizedtermofimprisonmentforpossessionofbiologicalweaponsby
a restricted person is “fined as provided in this title, imprisoned notmore than 10 years, or
both, but the prohibition contained in this section shall not apply with respect to any duly
authorizedUnitedStatesgovernmentalactivity.”ThisisTitle18Section175(b).Thecurrentprint
edition is the2012editionstartedshipping in2013, thevolumecontaining this statute isdated2013.
Answers will vary regarding Internet source. Answer should always be Yes regarding checking the
currentnessof the section. In June2017answer isCurrent throughP.L.115-40.Answerwill varywith
eachpassinglegislativesession.
ASSIGNMENT6
Fifth Amendment, headnote 18—Juveniles. Application of In Re Gault, 387 U.S. 1, 87 S.Ct.
1428,18L.Ed.2d527(1967).
ASSIGNMENT7Answerswillvaryforeachpartofthisassignment.
Pages:63115–63117
EffectiveDate:October19,2015
ASSIGNMENT8A
Theelementsofarsonarethefollowing:
1. Aperson...knowingly[thatis,intentionally]
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2. sets fire to, burns, causes to be burned, or by use of any explosive, damages or
destroys,orcausestobedamagedordestroyed,anypropertyofanotherwithouthis
consent.
ASSIGNMENT8B
Tomhascommittedarsonbecausealloftheelementsaremet.
1. Heactedknowingly—hedidnotaccidentallyblowupthebarn.
2. Byuseofanexplosive,hedestroyedthebarn.
3. Hedestroyedproperty—abarnisproperty.
4. Thepropertybelongedtoanother—aneighbor.
5. Heactedwithoutconsent—assumingthattheneighbordidnotconsent(thereareno
factsgivenconcerningconsent).
ASSIGNMENT8C
1. Ifthestatuteisstrictlyconstrued,Loishasprobablynotcommittedarsonbecauseshe
didnot“knowingly”setfiretothehouse.Sheaccidentallysetfiretothehouse.Case
lawshouldbeconsultedbecausethecourtsmayhaveruledthatcertainconduct,such
aslightingamatchtolocateasafeafterbreakingintoahouse,isacting“knowingly”
withinthemeaningofthestatute.Ifthatisthecase,thenLoishascommittedarson
becausetheremainingfourelementsarepresent.
2. Shesetfiretothehouse.
3. Shesetfiretoproperty—ahouseisproperty.
4. The property belonged to another—assuming that Lois did not break into her own
house.
5. Sheactedwithoutconsent—assumingthattheownerdidnotconsent(thereareno
factsgivenconcerningconsent).
ASSIGNMENT8D
Daihascommittedarsonbecausealloftheelementsaremet.
1. Sheactedknowingly—shedidnotaccidentallysetthebuildingonfire.
2. Shesetthebuildingonfire.
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3. Shesetfiretoproperty—thedinerisproperty.
4. The property belonged to another—the property did not belong entirely to Dai
becausesheownedthebuildingwithSteve.Steveownedaninterestinthebuilding.
WhenDai set fire to it, she set fire to the property of “another”—Steve’s property
interestinthebuilding.
5. Sheactedwithoutconsent—assumingthatStevedidnotconsent(therearenofacts
givenconcerningconsent).
ASSIGNMENT9
AnswerswillbesimilartotheanswerstoAssignment8A–D,buttheymayvaryaccordingto
statelaw.
ASSIGNMENT10
40C.F.R.8.C.F.R. IndexunderEnvironmental ImpactStatements—EnvironmentalProtection
Statements—Antarctica,nongovernmentalactivities,environmentalimpactassessment.
ASSIGNMENT11
Page 63115. Federal Register IndexVol. 80,No. 201. The final rule is effectiveOctober 19,
2015.
ASSIGNMENT12A
The statuteapplies tonuncupativewills.Anuncupativewill is anoralwill, awill that isnot
written.
Instructor’s Note: You may want to require students to answer this question with a legal
dictionarydefinitionofnuncupative.
ASSIGNMENT12B
Theelementsofthestatuteareasfollows:
1. Thetestatormustbeinimminentperilofdeath.
2. Thetestatormusthavediedasaresultoftheimpendingperil.
3. Thetestatormusthavedeclaredthewilltobehislastwill.
4. Thetestatormusthavemadethedeclarationbeforetwodisinterestedwitnesses.
5. Thewillmustbereducedtowritingbyorunderthedirectionofoneofthewitnesses.
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6. Thereductiontowritingmusttakeplacewithin30daysafterthedeclaration.
7. The will must be submitted for probate within six months after the death of the
testator.
ASSIGNMENT12C
Thestatutedoesnotapplytothissituation.Thestatuteappliestonuncupative(oral)wills.It
does not apply to written wills. The facts in Assignment 12C involve a will written by the
testator.Mr.Lang’swillwouldbegovernedbythestatutesdealingwithholographicwills,wills
writtenbythetestator,usuallyhandwritten.
ASSIGNMENT12DPART1
Thereisinsufficientinformationprovidedintheproblemtodetermineifthewillisvalidunder
thestatute.Thefollowinginformationisnecessary.
1. ItmustbedeterminedifLarry(thetestator)wasinimminentperilofdeathwhenhe
madethedeclaration.Thestatuterequiresthatthetestatorbe“inimminentperilof
death.”EventhoughLarrywasonhisdeathbed,thefactsdonotstatethathewasin
imminentperilofdeath(althoughthisprobablycanbeassumed).
2. Itmustbedetermined if Larrydiedof the imminentperil.Thestatute requires that
thetestatormustdie“asaresultoftheimpendingperil.”Thefactsdonotstatethat
Larrydiedasaresultoftheimpendingperil.AlthoughthefactsstatethatLarrywas
onhisdeathbed,andonewouldtendtoassumethathediedasaresultoftheperil,
there isnodirect statement to thiseffect in the facts.Onemustdetermine if Larry
indeeddiedoftheperilandnotassumethatthisisthecase.
Instructor’s Note: Students should be advised to beware of making assumptions. A
good rule to follow is to not assume anything; rather, be sure. If necessary, gather
moreinformationorconductadditionalresearch.
3. ItmustbedeterminedifLarry’ssisterMaryandhisneighborTomare“disinterested
witnesses”withinthemeaningofthestatute.Thestatuterequiresthatthetestator’s
declarationbemadebeforetwodisinterestedwitnesses.Bethisaninterestedwitness
because Larry leaves all his property to her. The other twowitnesses are Tomand
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Mary. IfMaryorTomisdeterminedtobean interestedwitness,thentherearenot
twodisinterestedwitnesses. The requirement that the declaration bewitnessed by
twodisinterestedwitnesseswouldnotbemet,andthewillwouldnotbevalid.
Even though Mary does not inherit under the declaration of the terms of the
nuncupativewill,shemightstillinheritaportionofLarry’spropertypursuanttothe
provisions of Subsection C of the statute. Therefore, she may be considered an
interested party. The relevant statutory and case law must be researched to
determine what constitutes an interested witness and if Mary is an interested
witness.
Itmust also be determined if Tom, Larry’s next-door neighbor, is an interested
witness.LarrymayhaveawrittenwillinwhichTomisnamedasabeneficiary.Under
theprovisionsofSubsectionCof the statute, it ispossible thatTomcould inherita
portionofLarry’spropertyandthereforebeconsideredan interestedwitness.As in
Mary’scase,therelevantstatutoryandcaselawmustberesearchedtodetermineif
Tomisaninterestedwitness.
4. ItmustbedeterminedifthedeclarationbyLarrywasmade“beforetwodisinterested
witnesses.”Thequestioniswhatconstitutes“before.”Tomheardthedeclaration,but
hewasnot in the same roomas Larrywhen thedeclarationwasmade. Itmust be
determinedifthestatuterequiresthatthewitnessbephysicallypresentinthesame
roomasthetestatorwhenthedeclarationismade.
Inordertoanswerthisquestion,itwillprobablybenecessarytoresearchcaselaw
to determinewhat constitutes “before two disinterestedwitnesses.” Although it is
possiblethatanothersectionoftheProbateCodesetsforthwhatconstitutesproper
witnessing,itismorelikelythatthisquestionhasbeenaddressedbythecourts.
ASSIGNMENT12DPART2
AccordingtoSubsectionCofthestatute,thenuncupativewilldoesnotrevokeanexisting
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written will. Under Subsection C, the nuncupative will only change the written will to the
extentnecessarytogiveeffecttothenuncupativewill.SubsectionBfurtherlimitstheeffectof
thenuncupativewill.Itprovidesthatanuncupativewillmayonlydisposeofpersonalproperty
inanaggregatevaluenotexceeding$1,000.
The combined effect of these two sections is that Larry’s nuncupativewill disposes of
Larry’spersonalpropertyinanamountnotexceeding$1,000.Hiswrittenwillisaffectedonly
tothisextent.
ASSIGNMENT13A
Section2-201providesthatacontractforthe“saleofgoods...isnotenforceable...unless
thereissomewriting.”Thestatutedoesnotrefertotheleaseofgoodsandthereforedoesnot
appeartoapplytotheleaseofgoods.Researchshouldbeconducted,however,todetermine
ifthe“saleofgoods” is interpretedto includethe leaseofgoods.Theremaybeadefinition
sectionoftheCommercialCodeSalesActthatdefines“saleofgoods.”Also,theremaybea
courtopinionthatinterpretswhatconstitutesthe“saleofgoods.”
ASSIGNMENT13B
Therequiredelementsforacontractforthesaleofgoodsof$500ormoretobeenforceable
arethefollowing:
1. Thecontractmustbeinwriting.
2. The writing must be sufficient to indicate that a contract for sale has been made
betweentheparties.
3. Thecontractmustbesignedbythepartyagainstwhomenforcementissought,that
is,thepartybeingsuedorthatparty’sauthorizedagentorbroker.
ASSIGNMENT13CPART1
The statute does not limit who can enforce the contract. It does, however, provide limits
againstwhomenforcementmaybesought.Thestatutelimitsenforcementtothosecontracts
“signedby thepartyagainstwhomenforcement is sought.” Inotherwords, a contractmay
onlybeenforcedagainstapartywhosignedit.Sinceneitherpartysignedthecontract,itisnot
enforceableagainsteitherparty.
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ASSIGNMENT13CPART2
Thestatuteprovidesthatacontractisnotenforceableunlessitis“signedbythepartyagainst
whomenforcement issought.” IfMary is theonlypartywhosignedthecontract,underthe
provisionsof thestatute, thecontractcanonlybeenforcedagainsther.Therefore,only the
sellercanenforcethecontract.
ASSIGNMENT13CPART3
ItmustbeassumedinAssignment13C,Parts3and4,thatthewrittencontractis“sufficientto
indicatethatacontractforsalehasbeenmadebetweentheparties.”Sincethecontractwas
signed by both parties, under the provisions of the statute, it is enforceable against both
parties.The fact that thecontract incorrectlyprovides for thesaleofnine tires, rather than
the 10 tires the parties orally agreed on, does not render the contract unenforceable. The
statuteprovidesthata“writingisnotinsufficientbecauseitomitsorincorrectlystatesaterm
agreedupon.”
When, however, the contract incorrectly states a term, the statute provides that the
contract is not enforceable “beyond” the quantity shown in the contract. In this case, the
contractprovidesforthesaleofninetires.Therefore,inlightoftheprovisionsofthestatute,
thecontractisenforceableforthesaleofuptoninetires.
ASSIGNMENT13CPART4
The answers to Assignment 13C, Parts 3 and 4, are very similar. Because the contractwas
signed by both parties, under the provisions of the statute, it is enforceable against both
parties.Thefactthatthecontractincorrectlyprovidesforthesaleof15tiresratherthanthe
10tiresthepartiesorallyagreedondoesnotrenderthecontractunenforceable.Asnotedin
theanswertoAssignment13C,Part3,thestatuteprovidesthata“writing isnot insufficient
becauseitomitsorincorrectlystatesatermagreedupon.”
AsnotedintheanswertoAssignment13C,Part3,whenacontractincorrectlystatesa
term,thestatuteprovidesthatthecontractisnotenforceablebeyondthequantityshownin
thecontract.Inthiscase,thecontractprovidesforthesaleof15tires.Therefore,inlightof
theprovisionsofthestatute,thecontractshouldbeenforceableforthesaleofupto15tires.
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The statute, however, does not address a question that is implied in this assignment.
Thestatuteonlyprovidesthatthecontractisnotenforceable“beyondthequantity”statedin
the contract. What if the written contract incorrectly states a quantity in excess of the
amountorallyagreeduponbythepartiesandapartywantsthecontractenforcedonlyinthe
amountoftheoralagreement?
In thiscase, theoralagreementwas for10tiresandthewrittencontractprovides for
thesaleof15tires.Isthecontractenforceableforaquantityinexcessoftheamountorally
agreed upon? A literal reading of the statute would indicate, yes; it is enforceable for a
quantity of up to 15 tires, even though the parties orally agreed only to 10 tires. In this
situation,itisadvisabletoresearchcaselawtodetermineifthecourtshaveinterpretedthe
statute to limit the enforcement of the quantity to the amount orally agreeduponby the
parties—inthiscase,10tires.
ASSIGNMENT13CPART5
There is an enforceable contract under the provisions of the statute if the slip of paper is
“sufficient to indicate that a contract for sale has been made between the parties.” The
statutedoesnotprovideanyguidanceastowhat issufficient;therefore,researchwouldbe
necessary to determine if any other statute defines “sufficient” or if the courts have
interpretedwhatconstitutesasufficientwritingunderthestatute.
If research indicates that the writing is sufficient, then additional research would be
necessarytodeterminetowhatextentthecontractisenforceable.Becausethewritingdoes
not includeanyof the termsof theagreement, suchasquantityorprice, the statute isof
littleguidance.Courtcases involvingsimilar factsituationswouldhavetoberesearchedto
determinehowandtowhatextentthecourtshaveenforcedsimilarcontracts.
ASSIGNMENT14
Instructor’sNote:Thestatutorysectioninthisassignmentinvolvesprivilegedcommunications
betweenspouses.Often,thereareotherstatestatutesthat limitthisprivilege.Forexample,
somestateshavestatutesthatprovidethattheprivilegedoesnotapplyincasesinvolving
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child neglect and abuse. Therefore, students should be advised that they should always
conductthoroughresearchintoallrelatedstatutes.
ASSIGNMENT14A
ThestatutoryelementsofSection35-1-4areasfollows:
1. A husband and wife may testify for or against each other in all actions with the
followingexception:
2. Ahusbandandwifemaynottestify
a. astoanycommunicationoradmission
b. madebyeitherofthemtotheother
c. duringthemarriage.
Thisprohibitiondoesnotapplyinactions:
a. betweensuchhusbandandwife,and
b. where the custody, support, health, or welfare of their children or children in
eitherspouse’scustodyorcontrolisdirectlyinissue.
ASSIGNMENT14B
AsindicatedinAssignment14A,ahusbandandwifemaytestifyfororagainsteachotherinall
actions unless the testimony involves “any communication or admission”made by them to
each other during the marriage. In addition, they may testify for or against each other
concerning communications or admissions made during the marriage when the action is
between thehusbandandwife, anddirectly in issue is the custody . . . of their childrenor
childrenineitherspouse’scustodyorcontrol.
Except in the situationmentioned in theprevious paragraph, a husband andwife are
prohibited from testifying either for or against each other in all actions in regard to
communicationsoradmissionsmadetoeachotherduringthemarriage.
ASSIGNMENT14CPART1
It isassumedthatthehusbandandwifeweremarriedwhenthehusbandadmittedheknew
thatheranthestopsignbecausehewasdrunk.Sincetheconversationtookplaceduringthe
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marriage,andthelawsuitdoesnotinvolveanactionbetweenthehusbandandwife,thewife
cannotbecompelledtotestifyconcerningherhusband’sadmission.Thestatuteprovidesthat
“neithermay testify” concerning such conversationsmadeduring themarriage. There is no
provisioninthestatutethatallowsaspousetobecompelledtotestifyinthissituation.
ASSIGNMENT14CPART2
The answer to this question is essentially the same as the answer to the question in
Assignment 14C, Part 1. Since the conversation took place during the marriage, and the
lawsuitdoesnotinvolveanactionbetweenthehusbandandwife,thewifecannotvoluntarily
testify concerning her husband’s admission. The statute provides that “neithermay testify”
concerningsuchconversations.Thereisnoprovisioninthestatutethatallowsonespouseto
waivetheprivilege.
ASSIGNMENT14CPART3
Thisquestioncanbeinterpretedintwoways.Canthewifevoluntarilytestifyconcerningthe
conversation if the husband and wife are legally separated at the time the testimony is
offered?Theanswer to thisquestion isaddressed in theanswer toAssignment14C,Part4,
below.
This question can also be interpreted as follows: Can the wife voluntarily testify
concerning the conversation if thehusbandandwife are legally separated at the time the
conversationtookplace?Theanswertothisquestiondependsonhow“duringthemarriage”
isinterpreted.Thestatuteprovidesthatneithermaytestifyastoanycommunicationmade
“during the marriage.” If the conversation took place while the parties were legally
separated,wasitmade“duringthemarriage”withinthemeaningofthestatute?Doesalegal
separationterminatetheprivilege?Arethepartiesnolongermarriedforthepurposesofthis
statutewhentheyarelegallyseparated?
Thestatutesmustbereviewedtodetermineifthereisadefinitionorothersectionthat
defines“duringthemarriage.”Intheabsenceofanapplicablestatutorysection,thecaselaw
must be researched for a court opinion that discusses whether a conversation that takes
place between a husband and wife while they are legally separated is made “during the
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marriage”andthereforeprivilegedunderSection35-1-4.Intheabsenceofstatutoryorcase
law,itwouldbenecessarytorefertosecondaryauthority,suchasalegalencyclopedia.
ASSIGNMENT14CPART4
It is assumed that the conversation took place during themarriage. The question, then, is
whetherthestatuteonlyapplieswhilethepartiesaremarried.Inotherwords, iftheparties
are no longer married, may they testify about conversations that took place during the
marriage?
The statute states that neither party may testify as to conversations between them
“during themarriage.”Thestatutedoesnothaveasectionthatprovides that theprivilege
onlyapplieswhilethepartiesaremarried;thestatutedoesnotspecificallyrequirethatthe
partiesbemarriedat the timethetestimonytakesplace.Therefore, theprivilegeprobably
appliesevenwhenthepartiesarenolongermarried.
It is, however, possible that the statute has been interpreted differently. Therefore,
researchshouldbeconductedtodetermineifthelegislatureorthecourtshaveinterpreted
thestatutedifferently.
ASSIGNMENT14CPART5
The answer to this question depends upon what constitutes a marriage in the state. The
statuteprohibitstestimonyastocommunicationsoradmissionsmade“duringthemarriage.”
If state law recognizes common law marriages, and the husband and wife having lived
togetherfor20yearsconstitutesavalidcommonlawmarriage,thentheyaremarriedandthe
statuteapplies.Itwouldbenecessarytodeterminetheanswertothefollowingquestions.
1. Doesthestaterecognizecommonlawmarriages?
2. Whatisrequiredforacommonlawmarriage?
3. In addition to living together as husband and wife, have the parties met all the
requirementsforavalidcommonlawmarriage?
ASSIGNMENT14CPART6
Moreinformationisneededtoanswerthisquestion.Thestatuteprovidesthatahusbandor
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wifemaytestifyconcerningconversationsmadeduringthemarriage inactionsbetweenthe
husbandandwife“wherethecustody,support,health,orwelfareoftheirchildrenorchildren
in either spouse’s custody or control is directly in issue.” Therefore, it is necessary to
determinewhatisinissueinthedivorceactioninordertoanswerthisquestion.Ifthecustody
andothermattersofthechildrenisdirectlyinissue,thentheconversationisadmissible.
ASSIGNMENT15A
18U.S.C.§117(2013)—Note:Instructorsshoulddetermineifanyupdateshaveoccurredandare
includedviapocketparts.
ASSIGNMENT15B
Penalty: “shallbe finedunder this title, imprisoned fora termofnotmore than5years,or
both, except that if substantial bodily injury results from violation under this section, the
offendershallbeimprisonedforatermofnotmorethan10years.”
ASSIGNMENT15CInthissection,theterm‘‘domesticassault’’meansanassaultcommittedbyacurrentorformer
spouse,parent,child,orguardianofthevictim,byapersonwithwhomthevictimsharesachild
incommon,byapersonwhoiscohabitatingwithorhascohabitatedwiththevictimasa
spouse,parent,child,orguardian,orbyapersonsimilarlysituatedtoaspouse,parent,child,or
guardianofthevictim.
ASSIGNMENT16A
§212.52Publicinvolvement.
ASSIGNMENT16B
Thepublicshallbeallowedtoparticipate in thedesignationofNationalForestSystemroads,
National Forest System trails, and areas on National Forest System lands and revising those
designations pursuant to this subpart. Advance notice shall be given to allow for public
comment,consistentwithagencyproceduresundertheNationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct,on
proposed designations and revisions. Public notice with no further public involvement is
sufficient if a National Forest or Ranger District hasmade previous administrative decisions,
underotherauthoritiesandincludingpublicinvolvement,whichrestrictmotorvehicleuseover
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theentireNationalForestorRangerDistricttodesignatedroutesandareas,andnochangeis
proposedtothesepreviousdecisionsanddesignations.
ASSIGNMENT16C
Absenceofpublicinvolvementintemporary,emergencyclosures—
(1)General.Nothinginthissectionshallalterorlimittheauthoritytoimplementtemporary,
emergencyclosurespursuantto36CFRpart261,subpartB,withoutadvancepublicnoticeto
provideshort-termresourceprotectionortoprotectpublichealthandsafety.
(2)Temporary,emergencyclosuresbasedonadeterminationofconsiderableadverse
effects.IftheresponsibleofficialdeterminesthatmotorvehicleuseonaNationalForest
SystemroadorNationalForestSystemtrailorinanareaonNationalForestSystemlandsis
directlycausingorwilldirectlycauseconsiderableadverseeffectsonpublicsafetyorsoil,
vegetation,wildlife,wildlifehabitat,orculturalresourcesassociatedwiththatroad,trail,or
area,theresponsibleofficialshallimmediatelyclosethatroad,trail,orareatomotorvehicle
useuntiltheofficialdeterminesthatsuchadverseeffectshavebeenmitigatedoreliminated
andthatmeasureshavebeenimplementedtopreventfuturerecurrence.Theresponsible
officialshallprovidepublicnoticeoftheclosurepursuantto36CFR261.51,includingreasons
fortheclosureandtheestimateddurationoftheclosure,assoonaspracticablefollowing
theclosure.
MindTapSupplementaryExercises:AnswersASSIGNMENT1
Theanswertothisassignmentwilldependonstatelaw.
ASSIGNMENT2
TheTruthinLendingAct,15U.S.C.A.§1601etseq.
ASSIGNMENT3
20U.S.C.A.§1070D-31etseq.FoundintheUSCAIndexunderCOLLEGESANDUNIVERSITIES—
RobertC.ByrdHonorsScholarshipProgram.
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ASSIGNMENT4
18U.S.C.A.§3584establisheslimitationsonconsecutivesentences.FoundintheUSCAIndex
underCRIMESANDOFFENSES—Consecutivesentences,limitations.
ASSIGNMENT5
Instructor’sNote:Inordertoproperlycompletethisassignment,studentsshouldlookupthe
termholographicinalawdictionary.
ASSIGNMENT5A
Thestatuteappliestowrittenwills,includingholographicwills,whicharewillshandwrittenby
testators.
ASSIGNMENT5B
Thewitnessingrequirementsaresetforthin§15-11-502(1)(c).Thissectionprovidesthattwo
individualsmust sign thewill prior toor after the testator’sdeath. Theymust signwithina
reasonable time after they witness, in the conscious presence of the testator, either the
signingof thewill or the testator’s acknowledgmentofhis signatureoracknowledgmentof
the will. Section 15-11-1-502(2) provides that a holographic will does not have to be
witnessed.
ASSIGNMENT5C
Aholographicwillisvalidifthesignatureandmaterialportionsofthewillareinthetestator’s
handwriting.
ASSIGNMENT5DPART1
In order to determine if the will is valid under Subsection (1) of the statute, additional
information is necessary. Subsection (1)(c) provides that the witnesses must sign within a
reasonable time after theywitnessed, in the conscious presence of the testator, either the
testator signing the will or the testator’s acknowledgment of that signature or
acknowledgmentofthewill.ThewitnessesdidnotseeJoansignthewill;theywitnesseditthe
nextday.However,thetestatormayhaveacknowledgedhersignatureoracknowledgedthe
willthenextdaywhenthewitnessessawit.Ifthisoccurred,thenunderSubsection(1)(c),the
willwouldhavebeenvalidlywitnessed.Therefore,thisadditionalinformationisnecessaryto
determinewhetherthewillisvalid.
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ASSIGNMENT5DPART2
Additional facts are needed to answer this question. The facts state that Joan wrote and
signed the will. Did she handwrite it or type it? A holographic will is a will written by the
testatorinhisorherownhand.Assumingthesignatureandmaterialportionsofthewillare
written in Joan’s handwriting, then thewill is valid under Subsection (2) of the statute and
doesnotrequirewitnessing.
ASSIGNMENT6
Theanswertothisassignmentwilldependonstatelaw.
ASSIGNMENT7A
Section18-732,Burglary—Elements
1. Apersonknowingly(thatis,intentionally)
2. entersunlawfullyorremainsunlawfullyafteralawfulorunlawfulentry
3. inabuildingoroccupiedstructure
4. withintenttocommitacrimeinthebuildingorstructure
5. againstanotherpersonorproperty.
Section18-760,Robbery—Elements
1. Apersonknowingly(thatis,intentionally),
2. takesanythingofvalue
3. fromthepersonorpresenceofanother
4. byuseofforce,threats,orintimidation.
Section18-773,Larceny—Elements
1. Apersonwrongfullytakes,obtains,orwithholds,byanymeans,
2. fromthepossessionoftheowneroranyotherperson
3. money,personalproperty,orarticleofvalueofanykind,
4. with intent permanently to deprive another person of the use and benefit of the
property.
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ASSIGNMENT7B
Larryhascommitted larcenybecausealloftheelementsofthesectionon larcenyhavebeen
met:
1. WhenLarryabscondedwithDenise’sshoppingbag,hewrongfullytookorobtainedit.
2. Larrytookorobtainedtheshoppingbagfromtheowner,Denise.
3. It must be assumed that the bag itself was, or contained, “personal property, or
articleofvalue.”
4. ItmustbeassumedthatwhenLarryabscondedwiththebag,heintendedtokeepit.
Larryhasnotcommittedburglarybecausetherewasnounlawfulentryofabuildingwith
theintenttocommitacrime.Hehasnotcommittedrobberybecausehedidnotuseforce,
threats,orintimidation.
ASSIGNMENT7C
Larryhascommittedboth robberyand larcenybecause theelementsofboth statutes
havebeenmet.
Robbery
1. Larryintentionallygrabbedthelady’shandbagandstruggledwithher.
2. Ahandbagissomethingofvalue.
3. Larrytookthehandbagfromanotherperson,theladywhoownedit.
4. Larry used force when he struggled with the lady for her
handbag.
Larceny
1. Larrywrongfullytookthehandbagwhenhegrabbeditasheranby.
2. Larrytookthehandbagfromthepossessionoftheowner.
3. Ahandbagispersonalproperty.
4. It must be assumed that when Larry absconded with the handbag, he
intendedtokeepit.
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Larryhasnotcommittedburglarybecausethereisnounlawfulentryofabuildingwith
theintenttocommitacrime.
ASSIGNMENT7D
Dependingonthecourt’sinterpretationofthestatute,Mikehasprobablycommittedlarceny
becausealloftheelementsofthesectiononlarcenyhavebeenmet.Notethediscussionof
thefourthelementbelow.
1. When Mike refused to pay the bill, he acted wrongfully by withholding from the
bartendermoneydueforthetab.
2. Mikewithheldpaymentfromthebartender,thepersonwhowastheownerorother
personentitledtomoneydueforthetab.
3. Itmustbeassumedthatthetabismoney.
4. It must be assumed that when Mike refused to pay the tab and left the bar, he
intendedtoneverpayit.Ifheintendedtopaythetabthenextday,thentheissueis
notsoclear.IfthatwasMike’sintention,thencaselawwouldneedtobeconsultedto
determine how the courts interpret the statute. The courts may interpret
“permanently deprive” to mean that one intends to permanently deprive another
personwhenheorsherefusestopaywhenpaymentisdemanded.Inthatcase,Mike,
evenifheintendedtopaythenextday,wouldstillhave“permanentlydeprived”the
bartenderofthemoneydue.
Mikehasnotcommittedburglarybecausethereisnounlawfulentryofabuildingwith
the intent to commit a crime. He has not committed robbery because he did not take
anything of value from the bartender by use of force, threats, or intimidation; he simply
withheldsomethingofvalue—herefusedtopay.Histhreatstothebartenderdonotturnhis
refusaltopayintothecrimeofrobbery.
ASSIGNMENT7E
Dependingon the interpretationof the statutes,Donhasprobably committedburglaryand
larcenybecausealloftheelementsofthesectionsonburglaryandlarcenyhavebeenmet.
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Burglary
1. Donintentionallyenteredtheschoolbus.
2. ItmustbeassumedthatDonenteredunlawfullysinceheenteredthebuswhen
thefamilywasawayandtherearenofactsindicatingthathewasinvitedintothe
bus.
3. Thebuswasoccupiedbythefamily.Thestatutedoesnotrequirethattheintruder
knowthatthestructureisoccupied.Ifthestatutewereinterpretedbythecourts
torequirethatthe individualknewthestructurewasoccupied,andDondidnot
knowitwasoccupiedwhenheentered,thenhedidnotcommitburglary.
4. It must be assumed that Don went into the bus searching for food that he
intendedtotake.Althoughhemaynothavethoughtthattakingfoodisacrime,
takingfood,liketakinganythingelseofvalueinthissituation,isacrime.
5. Dontookproperty(thefood)belongingtothe
family.
Larceny
1. Donwrongfullytookthefood.
2. Dontookitfromthepossessionoftheowner.
3. Foodispersonalproperty.
4. ItmustbeassumedthatwhenDontookthefood,hedidnotintendtogiveit
back.Donhasnotcommittedrobbery;hedidnotuseforce,threats,orintimidation.
ASSIGNMENT8
Thefollowingaretheelementsoftheft:
1. Apersonknowingly(withintent—notaccidentallyorinadvertently)
2. obtains(acquirespossession)orexercisescontrolover
3. anythingofvalue
4. ofanother
5. withoutauthorization,orbythreatordeception.
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ASSIGNMENT9
ThefollowingaretheelementsofCriminalCodeSection18-5-1ComputerCrime:
1. Apersonknowingly(withintent—notaccidentallyorinadvertently)
2. accesses:
a. acomputer,
b. computernetwork,or
c. computersystemoranypartthereof
3. a.withoutauthorization,orexceedsauthorizedaccess;or
b. forthepurposeofexecutinganyschemetodefraud;or
c. tocommittheft;or
d. to alter, damage, interrupt the proper functioning of any computer, computer
network,orcomputersystem.
ASSIGNMENT10
ThefollowingaretheelementsofCriminalCodeSection18-8-101MurderintheFirstDegree:
1. a. A person acts with deliberation (the death must follow the deliberation), and
intendstocausethedeathofapersonotherthanhimself
b.andcausesthedeathofthatpersonoranotherperson,or
2. a.Apersonactingalone,orwithoneormorepersons,
b. commits or attempts to commit arson, robbery, burglary, kidnapping, sexual
assault,and
c. inthecourseofthecrime,
d. thedeathofapersoniscausedbyanyone.
ThefollowingaretheelementsofSection18-8-102MurderintheSecondDegree:
1. Apersonknowingly(notaccidentallyorinadvertently)
2. causes
3. thedeathofaperson.
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ASSIGNMENT11A
Itisarguableinthissituationthateithermurderinthefirstorseconddegreeapplies.
Murderinthefirstdegree:
a. Taylorwasactingalone.
b. Taylorwas committing or attempting to commit burglary—hewas entering the
dwellingofanothertoharmhim.
Instructor’s Note:Burglary is usually defined as breaking and entering the dwelling
houseofanotherwiththeintenttocommitafelonytherein.
c. Taylorclubbedtherefereeduringtheburglary.
d. TherefereediedasaresultofTaylorclubbinghimduringtheburglary.
Murderintheseconddegree:
a. Taylorintentionallyenteredthehouseandclubbedthereferee.
b. Taylor’sactofclubbingtherefereecausedthereferee’sdeath.
c. Therefereedied.
ASSIGNMENT11B
Inthissituation,Michelleisguiltyofmurderinthefirstdegree:
a. Michellewasactingwithanotherperson.
b. Michellewascommittingorattemptingtocommitrobberyoftheconveniencestore.
c. Thegunwasdroppedandwentoffduringtherobbery.
d. Thestoreemployeediedasaresultofgungoingoffandhittingthestoreemployee.
Instructor’sNote:Thestatuteonlyrequiresthatanyonecausesthedeath.Therefore,itdoes
notmatterthatMichelledidnotdropthegun.Inaddition,thestatuteonlyrequiresthatthe
deathiscausedinthecourseofthecrime.Itdoesnotrequireanintentionalact.Therefore,
thatfactthatthegunwasaccidentallydroppedandwentoffdoesnotmatter.
ASSIGNMENT11C
Inthissituation,Hammillisguiltyofmurderinthefirstdegree:
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a. Hammillactedwithdeliberation—heplannedandintendedtokillaman.
b. Hammill’s actions caused the death of a person—the handgun fired and killed a
passerby.
c. FollowingHammill’splanandintenttokillaman,apersondied.
Instructor’sNote:ThestatutedoesnotrequirethatthepersonthatHammillintendedtokill
wastheonewhodied.Itonlyrequiresthatthatpersonoranotherpersondie. Inthiscase,
anotherpersondied.
ASSIGNMENT12
Arloviolatedthecomputercrimestatute:
1. ArlointentionallygotonthecomputerwhenJasonwasgone.
2. Arloaccessedthecomputerwhenhegotonandstartedlookingthroughthefiles.
3. Arlowas not authorized to access the computer. Jason specifically told Arlo not to
touchanything.ArlocouldarguethathethoughtthatJasonmeantthatArloshould
nottouchanythingelse intheroomandthatsincetheywereplayinggamesonthe
computer,itwasOKforhimtotouchthecomputer.Thisisaweakargumentbecause
Arlowasn’tplayingagameonthecomputer,hewasgoingthroughfiles.Inaddition,
“Don’ttouchanything”isclear;thecomputeris“anything.”
ASSIGNMENT13
TheDyerActappliestothetheftandtransportationofmotorvehiclesacrossaU.S.borderora
stateline.Thecitationis18U.S.C.A.§2313.Thepenaltyforviolatingtheactisafineunderthe
actorimprisonmentofnotmorethan10yearsorboth.Theactislocatedbylookingforthe
DyerActinthepopularnametableoftheUSCA.
ASSIGNMENT14
IntheUSCStableofcontents,lookunderCopyrights,thenDurationofCopyrights.Ingeneral,
the“copyrightforaworkcreatedonorafterJanuary1,1978,subsistsfromitscreationand..
.enduresforatermconsistingofthelifeoftheauthorand70yearsaftertheauthor’sdeath.”
Thecitationis17U.S.C.S.§302.
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MindTapStudyQuestions:Answers
1. Laws passed by Congress or state legislatures are generally called acts or statutes.
Thisbodyoflawiscommonlyreferredtoasstatutorylaw.
2. Statutory analysis is theprocess of determining if a statute applies, how it applies,
andtheeffectofitsapplication.
3. Scopesectionsstatewhatisspecificallycoveredandnotcoveredbyastatute.
4. Statutoryannotationsarereferencestovarioussourcesofinformationrelatedtothe
section.Theyfollowthestatutorysection.
5. Six types of statutory sections not included in the example in the text are sections
thatdothefollowing:
1. Statewhichadministrativeagencyisresponsibleforadministeringtheact
2. Incorporatebyreferencesectionsofotherstatutes
3. Limittheapplicationofthestatutethroughexceptions
4. Establishwhenthestatutetakeseffect
5. Repealotherstatutes
6. State that the statute is cumulative to the case lawand thatother remedies still
exist
6. Five types of reference information thatmay follow a section of a statute are the
following:
1. Thehistoryofthesection,includingdatesofamendment
2. Officialcommentsonthesection
3. Cross-referencestootherrelatedstatutes
4. Library references/research guides—references to other sources that may be
usefulwhenanalyzingthestatute,suchasbooksanddigestkeynumbers
5. Notes todecisions—thenames, citations, and summariesof key courtdecisions
thathavediscussed,analyzed,orinterpretedthestatute
7. Statutorysupplementsarelocatedimmediatelyfollowingthestatueorinaseparate
sectionorpamphlet.
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8. The full text of each law is published separately by the U.S. Government Printing
Officeandisreferredtoasasliplaw.
9. The names of the two commercial publications of theUnited States Code are the
UnitedStatesCodeAnnotatedandtheUnitedStatesCodeService.
10. After you have defined your search as concisely as possible, the following are the
threemainwaystoapproachlocatingastatute:
a. Generalindex
b. Titletableofcontents
c. Popularnametable
11. Rule 1.1 of the American Bar Association’s Model Rules of Professional Conduct
requiresthataclientbeprovidedcompetentrepresentation.Rule1.3providesthata
clientberepresentedwithdiligenceandpromptness.
12. Administrativelawisthebodyoflawthatresultsfromtherulesandregulationsand
thecourtopinionsinterpretingthem.
13. The Federal Rules of Civil andCriminal Procedure are included in theUnited States
Code.
14. Local rules are court rules specific to the court andgenerally govern administrative
matters,suchasthesizeofpapersaccepted,thenumberofcopiesofpleadingsthat
mustbefiledwiththeoriginal,howtofilebyfacsimiletransmission,andsoon.
15. The three-step approach recommended for analyzing a legal problem governed by
statutorylawisasfollows:
STEP1:Determineifthestatuteapplies.
STEP2:Analyzethestatute.
STEP3:Applythestatutetothelegalproblemorissue.
16. Thetwoformatsthatmaybeusedtoapplyormatchthefactsoftheclient’scaseto
theelementsofastatutearethechartornarrativesummaryformat.
17. Legislativehistoryistherecordofthelegislationduringtheenactmentprocessbefore
itbecamelaw.
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18. The plain meaning rule governs when the canons of construction apply. If the
meaning isclearon its face,there isnoroomfor interpretationandacourtwillnot
applythecanonsofconstruction.
19. Legislativehistorymaybeofassistancewheninterpretingastatuteinhelpingidentify
whyanambiguoustermwasusedandwhatmeaningthelegislature intended;what
the legislature intended the statute to accomplish; and the general purpose of the
legislation.
20. Canons of construction are rules and guidelines the courts use when interpreting
statutes.
21. Officialversusunofficialcodes.Printversuselectronicdatabases.Sectionsymboland
multiplesections.Shortcitationformat.