Exam 15: Crimes Against Public Order and Morality

Courts have recognized that a clear distinction must be made between riots and the right of individuals to freely assemble to petition the government for the redress of grievances.

______ includes offenses such as public drunkenness, vagrancy, loitering, panhandling, graffiti, and urinating and sleeping in public.

Morris and Hawks argue that criminalizing consensual private behavior actually increases rather than decreases crime.

A ______ is defined as acts that disturb or tend to disturb the tranquility of the citizenry.

Why do we have a crime against cruelty to animals?

In order to standardize the crime of disorderly conduct, the mens rea for disorderly conduct is the same for all states.

All of the following are situations in which loitering or prowling is punished under the Model Penal Code EXCEPT ______.

Illinois is the only state in which prostitution is legal.

According to the Illinois Legislature, street gangs do NOT present a clear and present danger to public order and decency.

All of the following are reasons cruelty to animals is a criminal offense EXCEPT ______.

The mens rea for disorderly conduct is which of the following?

Until the 18th century, ______ in England was punished before religious courts.

The taking of steps toward the accomplishment of an unlawful act by a collection of three or more people was punished as a(n) ______.

What is broken windows theory? What are the criticisms of broken windows theory? Do you agree with the theory? Why or why not?

At the common law, a(n) ______ was defined as the collection of three or more persons with the purpose to engage in an unlawful act.

Blake pulled up to a red streetlight in Chicago at an intersection where homeless individuals frequently ask for money. Today was no different than any other. The usual young male was standing there in dirty tattered clothes looking slightly more disheveled than usual, but that is to be expected with the heat wave the city was currently experiencing. Today, the man seemed rather pushy. Instead of just standing on the corner hoping someone would offer to help him out he came up to Blake's car window, repeatedly banging his fist and loudly yelling that he was in need of money. Blake began to feel extremely uncomfortable and threatened. Luckily after a stressful minute or two the light turned green and he drove off. If the homeless man committed a crime, what type of crime might it be?

Justice Stewart said that he could not define obscenity but that he "know[s] it when [he] see[s] it." Attempt to define obscenity. Why is it important for courts to have a working definition instead of following Justice Stewart's lead?

The crime of cruelty to animals is recognized as an offense against public order and decency.

______ is defined as standing in public with no apparent purpose.

Which case established the three-part test for obscenity?