Actus Reus: Definition

Actus reus, the “guilty act,” is a key element of criminal liability, often requiring proof alongside mens rea (“guilty mind”). It encompasses liability for actions, omissions, and specific conditions. Strict liability offences require actus reus without mens rea. Case analyses illustrate its application under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, emphasizing the interplay of intent, causation, and intoxication. Variations in mens rea affect charges under sections 18, 20, and 47, highlighting distinctions between crimes of specific and basic intent.