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What was the principal criminal-law issue in Director of Public Prosecutions v. Beard, decided by the…

Beard is a leading English decision on intoxication and criminal intent. It distinguishes questions of drunkenness, specific intent and insanity, which makes intoxication…

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What was the principal criminal-law issue in Director of Public Prosecutions v. Beard, decided by the House of Lords in 1920?

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Correct answer C

Beard is a leading English decision on intoxication and criminal intent. It distinguishes questions of drunkenness, specific intent and insanity, which makes intoxication the best description of the case’s central topic.

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Option A

The decision discusses insanity caused by drunkenness as a related question, but its central issue is the effect of intoxication on criminal responsibility and intent.

Option B

Accident addresses a different ground of exculpation. The issue in Beard was the legal effect of drunkenness.

Option C

The decision addressed intoxication, including evidence that an accused was incapable of forming a specific intent required by an offence.

Option D

Infancy concerns childhood capacity. The case concerned the effect of drunkenness on criminal responsibility.

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