NCA Criminal Law study plan

Outline the sources and hierarchy of Canadian criminal law, including the Constitution Act, 1867, the Criminal Code, and the Charter, and explain how each constrains substantive criminal law.

Define the presumption of innocence, the burden of proof, and the standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt, and explain how they apply at each stage of a criminal proceeding.

Map the anatomy of a criminal offence by distinguishing actus reus, mens rea, and the external circumstances, and identify the actus reus and mens rea components in five different Criminal Code offences.

Explain the distinction between summary conviction and indictable offences and identify how classification affects procedure, penalties, and limitation periods.

Analyze the three forms of actus reus: voluntary acts, omissions, and states of affairs, and explain when an omission can attract criminal liability.

Compare the levels of mens rea, including intention, knowledge, recklessness, wilful blindness, and negligence, and match each level to statutory language used in the Criminal Code.

Apply the principles of contemporaneity and transferred intent to fact patterns and explain how courts resolve timing and target mismatches.

Distinguish subjective from objective standards of liability and identify which offences use each standard.

Explain the legal and factual elements of causing death, including the requirement that the accused's act be a significant contributing cause.

Break down the offence of murder by identifying the intent requirements and the distinction between first-degree and second-degree murder.

Outline the partial defences that reduce murder to manslaughter, including provocation and intoxication, and explain when each is available.

Analyze the offence of criminal negligence causing death and distinguish it from manslaughter on the basis of the mens rea standard.

Explain the elements of assault, including the application of force without consent and the role of intent.

Distinguish assault from sexual assault and identify the significance of consent, capacity, and the reasonable steps required to ascertain consent.

Analyze the offences of robbery, extortion, and theft, and distinguish them by the presence of violence, threats, or deprivation of property.

Identify the elements of break and enter and explain how the offence is aggravated by intent to commit an indictable offence inside the place.

Explain the defence of self-defence under the Criminal Code and apply its statutory factors to a fact pattern.

Distinguish the defences of duress, necessity, and provocation, and identify the elements and limitations of each.

Analyze the defence of mental disorder, including the meaning of not criminally responsible and the consequences of a finding.

Evaluate the availability of the defence of automatism and distinguish non-mental disorder automatism from mental disorder.

Explain the common law and statutory rules governing the admissibility of confessions, including voluntariness and the right to silence.

Outline the purpose and operation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in criminal procedure, including the right to counsel and the right to be secure against unreasonable search and seizure.

Describe the remedies available for Charter breaches, focusing on the exclusion of evidence under section 24(2).

Identify the key stages of a criminal trial, including arraignment, plea, Crown and defence cases, and verdict.

Explain the principles of sentencing, including proportionality, parity, and restraint, and identify the statutory objectives of sentencing.

Distinguish the available sentences, such as discharges, probation, imprisonment, and conditional sentences, and explain when each is available.

Outline the rules governing criminal appeals, including grounds of appeal and the powers of the appellate court.

Explain the purpose and effect of a youth criminal justice sentence under the applicable youth legislation.

Synthesize all prior weeks by building a master outline that connects substantive offences, defences, procedure, and sentencing.

Complete a timed practice examination under conditions that mirror the NCA format and identify areas needing further review.

Review incorrect practice questions and write a corrected explanation for each, citing the applicable rule.

Recite the elements of the ten most heavily tested offences and defences from memory.