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Using actual situations, describe the elements of actus reus and mens rea in criminal law.
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- 1508
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- Tue Jan 27 2004

... LAW COURSEWORK: Number Three Name: Joseph Tilbury Examination Number: Centre name: Spalding Grammar School Centre Number: 26233 Component Code: 1177/3 Examination Session: Summer 2003 I. Using actual situations, describe the elements of actus reus and mens rea in criminal law. It is necessary for the prosecution, in the bulk of crimes, to prove two elements in order for a person to be found guilty of a crime. These are the actus reus (which means the guilty act) and the mens rea (which means the guilty mind/intention), and it is only in strict liability crimes where the act alone (the mens rea) is enough to prove a person guilty. Examples of strict liability crimes are possession offences (the defendant possesses, for example, knives, guns or drugs) and not wearing a seatbelt. The actus reus can be an act (e.g. stabbing someone) or an omission (e.g. not halting at a red light), whilst the mens rea can be













