Today Most Jurisdictions Reject Voluntary Intoxication as a Defense to General-Intent

question 33

Essay

Today most jurisdictions reject voluntary intoxication as a defense to general-intent crimes but allow the defense to be asserted with respect to whether a defendant was capable of forming a specific intent.Is there a rational basis for this distinction? Explain your answer.

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Definitions:

Robert Agnew

An American criminologist known for the development of the General Strain Theory, which suggests that individuals who experience strain or stress are more likely to commit crimes.

Positively Valued Stimuli

Stimuli that are perceived as desirable or beneficial, evoking positive responses from individuals.

Differential Illegitimate Opportunity

A concept within criminology that explains variations in the rates of deviance among different social groups due to unequal access to legitimate means of achieving success.

Anomie-Strain Theory

A concept in criminology that explores the disconnect between societal goals and the availability of legitimate means to achieve those goals, leading to deviance.