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

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'Actus Reus' refers to the requirement that the defendant have carried out a voluntary act. It is important to distinguish such acts from thoughts, words, states of possession, or status; involuntary acts; and omissions.
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'Actus Reus' refers to the requirement that the defendant have carried out a voluntary act. It is important to distinguish such acts from thoughts, words, states of possession, or status; involuntary acts; and omissions.  
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Actus Reus is one of four elements that must exist in order for a [[crimes | crime]] to have occurred. The other three are:
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* [[Mens Rea (Culpable Mental State)]]
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* Concurrence of Actus Reus and Mens Rea
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* Damages
  
 
== Model Penal Code ==
 
== Model Penal Code ==
The Model Penal Code, which has been influential in standardizing criminal law throughout the United States, sets out the following provision with respect to the act requirement:  
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The American Law Institute's Model Penal Code, which has been influential in the standardization of criminal law in the United States, sets out the following provision with respect to the act requirement:  
  
  

Latest revision as of 13:31, 15 July 2010