Select one standard crime against persons such as:
Assault
Rape
Kidnapping
Battery
Any standard crime against persons
Select a state to research
Select a state statute to research the elements for the selected crime. The Legal Research link provides
instructions in conducting research in locating state statutes. The Webliography area of the course and the
McAfee online Library can be used as well along with any reliable criminal justice resource.
For the selected state, write a description of the elements of the current state statute for that crime
Research historical common law and write a description of the elements of the crime under based on historical
common law.
Compare how the elements of the crime have changed from the historical common law to the current state
statute.
Discuss possible reasons for the changes from the historical common law to the current state statute.
Suggest new changes in the statute, based on society’s needs today. Include specific examples from personal
experience or current events.
Sample Solution
