People v. Navarro
Appellate Department, Los Angeles County Superior Court, 1979.
99 Cal.App.3d Supp. 1, 160 Cal.Rptr. 692.
Judge Dowds delivered opinion
Facts:
Whether a good faith but unreasonable mistake is a defense to a charge?
Holding: Yes. Only reasonable mistakes removes liability from gen. intent. crimes. For specific intent crimes, still has to be good faith, reasonable or unreasonable.
Reasoning:
Rule: Mistake of fact
Appellate Department, Los Angeles County Superior Court, 1979.
99 Cal.App.3d Supp. 1, 160 Cal.Rptr. 692.
Judge Dowds delivered opinion
Facts:
- Defendant was charged with stealing four wooden beams from a construction site
- Jury could have found either
- the beams had been abandoned as worthless and owner would not object to def. taking them
- beams had substantial value, were not abandoned, and he had no right to take them
Whether a good faith but unreasonable mistake is a defense to a charge?
Holding: Yes. Only reasonable mistakes removes liability from gen. intent. crimes. For specific intent crimes, still has to be good faith, reasonable or unreasonable.
Reasoning:
- Specific intent is negated by good faith
- Mistake of reasonable/unreasonableness doesn't matter
Rule: Mistake of fact
3 comments:
When I read the title, my brain said "steel wood beams. Is this some crazy patent about composite building materials?" I haven't had my coffee yet, apparently.
Imagine operating on no coffee. I think I'm going to have to become a drinker to make it through this first semester.
I thought it said "steel wool beams."
I don't know if becoming a drinker is the right strategy. You sure you don't like coffee? I've heard it actually helps. Or maybe some of that cocaine (the energy drink, of course).
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