What is a criminal defense? A criminal defense is used when you have committed a crime, but you have a reason that you are either not responsible for your actions (insanity, intoxication, etc.) or you have a justification or excuse for your actions (self-defense, defense of others, consent, etc.). Many people believe that if you claim insanity as a defense, you can go free. But is that what really happens? That's just one of the things you will learn in this class.

If you want to try me out as a teacher before committing to a Summer Camp length class, check out my Ongoing class: Law School for Teens - Weekly Class.

While this is Part 5 of my "Intro into Criminal Law" series, students can start here just as easily as Part 1, 2, 3, or 4 and still be successful. If this topic intrigues your learner, then I suggest you start here to determine if this series is for you.

I will provide a discussion outline that has mini-case studies on it that will help students work through these concepts. I will accompany the discussion outline with a PowerPoint presentation, but this is not a lecture-based class. There may be brief points where I teach on concepts, but I will engage every student individually and in groups in working through these concepts with me, and we will work in small groups from time-to-time as well.

As this is discussion based, the class schedule will be a bit fluid. Sometimes, students will bring up interesting and relevant points that we will explore because it enhances the overall experience. Sometimes, students will understand the topics clearly, and we will move through the topics quicker than expected.

But here is the general overview of the schedule:

Day 1: Responsibility Defenses
- Introduction to the class and Expectations
- Insanity Defenses

Day 2: Responsibility Defenses continued
- Intoxication
- Infancy

Day 3: Justification and Excuse Defenses
- Duress
- Necessity
- Self-Defense

Day 4: Justification and Excuse Defenses continued
- Defense of Others
- Defense of Property
- Consent

Day 5: Justification and Excuse Defenses continued
- Maintaining Domestic Authority
- Entrapment