James Was Taking Prescription Drugs for a Toothache

question 70

Essay

James was taking prescription drugs for a toothache. While driving one evening, James became extremely nauseated and then blacked out. James subsequently drove his car into a group of pedestrians, killing three people. What is the difference between voluntary and involuntary intoxication? May James rely on one of these defenses? Why or why not?

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Definitions:

Constitutional Right

A right protected and guaranteed by a constitution, allowing individuals certain freedoms and protections under the law.

Privacy

The right of individuals to keep their personal affairs and information confidential and free from unnecessary intrusion.

Griswold v. Connecticut

A landmark 1965 Supreme Court case that ruled state bans on contraceptive use by married couples were unconstitutional, citing privacy rights inferred from the Constitution.

Roe v. Wade

A landmark decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1973 that recognized a woman's legal right to an abortion under the U.S. Constitution.