Reading Assignment for Section 3.4

Read the following subsection from our online textbook: Section 3.4: Legal Defenses.

What You Will Learn

In this section, you’ll learn about the two major categories of legal defenses and how they compare. You’ll explore the use of the insanity defense, including its frequency and success rates, and the various legal tests for insanity. Additionally, you’ll understand the circumstances under which intoxication, entrapment, self-defense, necessity, and mistake can be valid legal defenses.

Student Learning Outcomes for Section 3.4

• SLO 1: Compare and contrast the two major categories of legal defenses.
• SLO 2: Discuss the frequency and probability of success of the insanity defense.
• SLO 3: List and explain the various legal tests for insanity.
• SLO 4: Describe the circumstances under which intoxication may be a legal defense, and when it is not.
• SLO 5: Describe the circumstances under which a successful entrapment defense can be raised.
• SLO 6: Describe the circumstances under which a successful self-defense justification may be raised.
• SLO 7: Describe the circumstances under which a successful necessity defense may be raised.
• SLO 8: Describe when a mistake is and is not a valid legal defense.