Saturday 4 February 2012

Definitions for "actus reus" and "mens rea".

Actus reus (Latin)-means "guilty act".  

Mens rea (Latin)-means "guilty mind".

The mentioned above two components needed for a conviction.  

For example:  

Assault is committed when a person intentionally touches another without consent. Proof of physical contact without consent is the actus reus of the offence: whether or not it was done intentionally is the mens rea component.

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