Difference between revisions of "Actus Reus (Voluntary Act)"

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(1) A person is not guilty of an offense unless his liability is based on conduct which includes a voluntary act or the omission to perform an act of which he is physically capable.
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1. A person is not guilty of an offense unless his liability is based on conduct which includes a voluntary act or the omission to perform an act of which he is physically capable.
  
(2) The following are not voluntary acts within the meaning of this Section:
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2. The following are not voluntary acts within the meaning of this Section:
  
    (a) a reflex or convulsion;
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*(a) a reflex or convulsion;
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*(b) a bodily movement during unconsciousness or sleep;
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*(c) conduct during hypnosis or resulting from hypnotic suggestion;
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*(d) a bodily movement that otherwise is not a product of the effort or determination of the actor, either conscious or habitual.
  
    (b) a bodily movement during unconsciousness or sleep;
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3. Liability for the commission of an offense may not be based on an omission unaccompanied by action unless:
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*(a) the omission is expressly made sufficient by the law defining the offense; or
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*(b) a duty to perform the omitted act is otherwise imposed by law.
  
    (c) conduct during hypnosis or resulting from hypnotic suggestion;
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4. Possession is an act, within the meaning of this Section, if the possessor knowingly procured or received the thing possessed or was aware of his control thereof for a sufficient period to have been able to terminate his possession.
 
 
    (d) a bodily movement that otherwise is not a product of the effort or determination of the actor, either conscious or habitual.
 
 
 
(3) Liability for the commission of an offense may not be based on an omission unaccompanied by action unless:
 
 
 
    (a) the omission is expressly made sufficient by the law defining the offense; or
 
 
 
    (b) a duty to perform the omitted act is otherwise imposed by law.
 
 
 
(4) Possession is an act, within the meaning of this Section, if the possessor knowingly procured or received the thing possessed or was aware of his control thereof for a sufficient period to have been able to terminate his possession.
 
  
 
== What Are Not Acts ==
 
== What Are Not Acts ==

Revision as of 11:01, 17 June 2010