Model Penal Code

Generally

The Model Penal Code (MPC) is a statutory text which was developed by the American Law Institute (ALI) in 1962. The purpose of the MPC was to stimulate and assist legislatures in making an effort to update and standardize the penal law of the United States. The standard they used to make a determination of what the penal code should be was one of "comtemporary reasoned judgment" -- meaning what a reasoned person at the time of the development of the MPC would judge the penal law to do. The ALI performed an examination of the penal system in the US and the prohibitions, sanctions, excuses, and authority that are used throughout. The MPC was a combination of what the ALI deemed to be the best rules for the penal system in the United States. Since its formation, the MPC has played an important role in standardizing the codified penal laws of the United States.

Use

The MPC is not the law in any jurisdiction of the United States, however, at least 37 states have adopted revised versions of the MPC. Though many states only adopted portions of the MPC, states such as New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, an Oregon have enacted almost all of the provisions.

On rare occasion the courts will turn to the MPC for it's commentary on the law and use it to seek guidance in interpreting non-code criminal statutes. It is also used frequently as a tool for comparison.