Actus Reus (Voluntary Act): Difference between revisions
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'Actus Reus' refers to the requirement that the defendant have carried out a voluntary act in furtherance of the crime. It is important to distinguish such acts from thoughts, words, states of possession, or status; involuntary acts; and omissions. | 'Actus Reus' refers to the requirement that the defendant have carried out a voluntary act in furtherance of the crime. It is important to distinguish such acts from thoughts, words, states of possession, or status; involuntary acts; and omissions. | ||
== What Acts Are Not == | |||
Acts do not include, thoughts, words, possession and status. Thoughts alone can never be punished as crimes. Lawmakers are hesitant to impose controls on what people may think, and such laws would also present profound problems of proof and enforcement | |||
== Sources == | |||
Emanuel Law Outline, Criminal Law, Aspen Law & Business, 2000 | |||
Revision as of 10:59, 16 June 2010
'Actus Reus' refers to the requirement that the defendant have carried out a voluntary act in furtherance of the crime. It is important to distinguish such acts from thoughts, words, states of possession, or status; involuntary acts; and omissions.
What Acts Are Not
Acts do not include, thoughts, words, possession and status. Thoughts alone can never be punished as crimes. Lawmakers are hesitant to impose controls on what people may think, and such laws would also present profound problems of proof and enforcement
Sources
Emanuel Law Outline, Criminal Law, Aspen Law & Business, 2000
