Essay question

Answer as if you were explaining your answer to someone who is learning the material for the first time;

Clearly answer the questions asked;

Explain your rationale behind your answer; and

Provide example(s) that justify, or further explain, your answer to the question where applicable.

Question:

Jane Doe was involved in the sale of used tractors and trucks and owned a dealership in Seymour, Texas named Owl Farming Motors. Doe regularly engaged in the practice of rolling back the vehicle odometers when her employees were off duty. Doe would then go back and modify the paperwork to reflect the modified usage and then sell the tractors and trucks for higher prices based on their status as "low mileage" used vehicles.

Several customers expressed to the salespeople that they were surprised to find used vehicles with such low usage for sale in the area and that the low mileage was a key reason for their decision to buy at Owl Farming Motors.

Eventually, customers discover that the vehicles they purchased were altered and complain to the police. Doe is arrested and freely tells the arresting officers that she modified the odometers on the way to the station without them even asking her a question about it. At the station she is then Mirandized for the first time by a detective and then refuses to answer any further questions.

1. What is a crime? Under these facts, has a/have crime(s) been committed? If so, what crime(s) has/have been committed?

2. What is meant by elements of a crime and what are the specific elements of the crime(s) that you identified for this situation?

3. Are all of the elements of the crime(s) identified by you established by these facts? (Please explain your answer.)

4. Will Doe's statements to the arresting officers be admissible during her trial? Why or why not?