HSC Legal Studies · Crime · Chapter 1 · Student worksheet

The Nature of Crime — Activity Materials

Print or work on screen · pairs with the Chapter 1 lesson
Name: Class: Date:

Activity 1 — Mens rea sorting

Syllabus link: 1.2 elements of crime — the three levels of mens rea
For each scenario, decide whether the accused's state of mind is intention, recklessness or criminal negligence. Write your choice and a one-line reason.
Scenario A

Aran plans for weeks, buys a weapon, and shoots his business rival.

Level:
Reason:
Scenario B

Bo does 140 km/h through a school zone "for a laugh" and strikes a child crossing.

Level:
Reason:
Scenario C

A carer, responsible for medication, forgets to administer essential drugs for days; the patient dies.

Level:
Reason:
Scenario D

Dana throws a rock off an overpass "not aiming at anyone"; it smashes a windscreen and injures the driver.

Level:
Reason:
Scenario E

Parents rely only on homeopathy and withhold conventional medicine as their infant's condition becomes critical (cf. R v Sam).

Level:
Reason:
Extension

Write your own scenario for the level you found hardest, and swap with a partner.

Activity 2 — Offence classification card sort

Syllabus link: 1.5 categories of crime & 1.6 summary/indictable
Cut out or list the offence cards below. Step 1: sort each into its category. Step 2: mark each as likely summary or indictable. Discuss the borderline ones.
LarcenyArmed robberyMurderCommon assaultInsider tradingHackingSpeedingAffrayConspiracy to import drugsDangerous driving occ. deathAggravated sexual assault in companyTax evasion

Step 1 — categories

CategoryOffences you placed here
Against the person
Economic
Drug
Driving
Public order
Preliminary

Step 2 — summary vs indictable

Summary (Local Court, magistrate)
Indictable (judge & jury)

Activity 3 — Mini extended-response plan

Syllabus link: 1.2 & 1.5 — building an argument about seriousness
Prompt: "Explain how the elements of crime and the categories of offences help the legal system distinguish the seriousness of criminal acts." Plan a 4-part response.

Thesis (1 sentence)

Body point 1 — evidence & example

Body point 2 — evidence & example

Body point 3 — evidence & example

Now write your introduction

Take it further — resources

Real, reputable sources for your own research
Rose Bay Secondary College · HSC Legal Studies · Crime — Chapter 1 activity materials · NESA Stage 6 (2009)