State v. Stepniewski

Contractors Richard Stepniewski and Edward Malec (defendants) were convicted under a state trade-practices statute for failing to state, in writing, the start and completion dates for home-improvement projects; in at least two cases, homes suffered severe winter damage from the unfinished work. They appealed, arguing the statute required proof they intentionally violated the law and that, absent such proof, imposing criminal liability without a mens rea requirement violated due process.