The Model Penal Code (MPC) is a legal framework developed by the American Law Institute (ALI) to standardize and modernize U.S. criminal law. It serves as a guideline for states to draft or revise their criminal statutes. Keep reading or watch this short video to learn how to locate the Model Penal Code in HeinOnline.
Locating the Model Penal Code
You can find the Model Penal Code in HeinOnline’s American Law Institute Library. The Model Penal Code is located in the Codifications and Studies subcollection of the American Law Institute Library, listed alphabetically.
Here, you’ll not only find the Model Penal Code, but you also have access to content relating specifically to sexual assault and sentencing.
Trace the evolution of the Model Penal Code, starting with the Preliminary and Working Drafts, where legal scholars laid the foundation of its principles. Move through the Tentative Drafts, where proposals were rigorously debated and refined. Then, shift to the Council Drafts, where critical revisions were made before being formalized in the Proposed Final Drafts. Finally, conclude with the proposed Official Text, the definitive version that shaped modern criminal law.
For additional guidance, be sure to check out our LibGuide for expert tips on navigating this collection.