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Actus Reus Research Paper

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ACTUS REUS
Actus reus is the action that causes the harm. Actus reus must be voluntary. It must also be active. For example thoughts cannot be proven and cannot, by themselves, do harm. They cannot be considered a crime until they are acted on. Finally, it must be wrong or illegal. For example, shooting guns is not a crime. Firing a gun at a target range or in military training does not constitute an actus reus. Shooting a gun in a shopping mall however, is an actus reus.

Voluntary Acts
A crime must be a voluntary act. Reflex actions or actions committed under coercion or while unconscious are generally not crimes. Mere accidents are generally not criminal acts. There are exceptions, however when people commit involuntary harm, as a result

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