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Full-Text Articles in Law
Some Themes In The Proposed Federal Rules Of Evidence, Paul F. Rothstein
Some Themes In The Proposed Federal Rules Of Evidence, Paul F. Rothstein
Georgetown Law Faculty Publications and Other Works
Although the Federal Rules of Evidence are under consideration by Congress, it is unlikely that many of their major themes will be reversed. The present article examines some of these themes as they appear in the Supreme Court-approved draft. The aim is merely to make more explicit the effects of the Rules and suggest some questions for study.
The Individualization Of Excusing Conditions, George P. Fletcher
The Individualization Of Excusing Conditions, George P. Fletcher
Faculty Scholarship
The excusing conditions of the criminal law are variations of the theme "I couldn't help myself' or "I didn't mean to do it." In this respect the defenses known as necessity, duress, insanity and mistake of law are but extensions of homely, routine apologies for causing harm and violating the rules of social and family life. While we use the plea "I couldn't help myself" to cover the full range of excusing circumstances, each of the formal excuses of the criminal law has a limited sphere. As a general matter, these spheres are dictated by the type of circumstances rendering …