Actus Reus (Voluntary Act)

'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.
• Words usually cannot constitute acts. However, depending on the jurisdiction and the crime, an agreement to commit a crime may be enough to constitute conspiracy, and words of encouragement may constitute aiding and abetting a crime.

Sources

Chapter 1, Criminal Law, Emanuel Law Outline, Aspen Publishers, 2000