Friday, November 15, 2013

People v. Young case brief

People v. Young case brief summary
210 N.Y.S.2d 358 (1961)


CASE SYNOPSIS
Defendant sought review of an order of the Court of Special Sessions of the City of New York (New York), which convicted him of criminal assault.

CASE FACTS
Defendant saw two men beating a boy. Defendant thought the boy was being assaulted, and he punched the two assailants. The two men were actually police officers who were trying to arrest the boy. Defendant was arrested and charged with criminal assault.

PROCEDURAL HISTORY
The trial court convicted him and sentenced him to 60 days in a workhouse.

DISCUSSION

  • The court reversed and held that defendant could not be punished criminally for an intent crime unless he had the intent. 
  • Because a mistake of relevant fact was involved, the premises for intent were absent. 
  • Defendant acted from the most commendable motives and without excessive force. 
  • In a criminal proceeding, the court was concerned with the act against society, not with the wrong between individuals and the right to reparation, which was the province of tort.

CONCLUSION

The court reversed the judgment convicting defendant of criminal assault and dismissed the information.

Recommended Supplements for Criminal Law

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