actus reus
Quick Summary
In criminal law, actus reus refers to the voluntary act or omission that constitutes the physical element of a crime. It is one of the two essential components of a crime, the other being mens rea, or the guilty mental state.123
An act can be any voluntary human behavior. However, involuntary movements, such as those during an epileptic seizure or sleepwalking, are not considered acts for legal purposes. Criminal liability also requires that the accused's conduct directly caused the resulting harm. Liability can also arise from a failure to act when there is a legal duty to do so, such as a parent's obligation to provide for their child.123
While actus reus focuses on the physical act, mens rea addresses the mental state. However, some offenses, known as strict liability offenses, do not require proof of a guilty mind, such as statutory rape. This is often to ensure the effectiveness of regulatory legislation concerning public health and safety.2
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