Why are movements during an epileptic seizure usually not considered criminal acts?

In criminal law, movements occurring during an epileptic seizure are not considered criminal acts because they lack the essential element of a voluntary act, known as actus reus.1

For an individual to be held criminally liable, the law generally requires both a voluntary human behavior and a corresponding state of mind, or mens rea. Because an epileptic seizure involves involuntary bodily movements—similar to the state of automatism or sleepwalking—the conscious mind does not control the physical actions. Since the law defines a crime as a voluntary act or omission, involuntary movements resulting from a medical condition do not satisfy the fundamental requirements for criminal responsibility.12