The Illustrated Guide to Law

The Illustrated Guide to Criminal Law
Chapter 8: What Have You Done?
Page 3: Elements of the Crime

At trial, the prosecutor is going to have to prove two things—the “elements” of this crime.

First, the mens rea element: That Joe INTENDED to cause that harm to Simon.

Joe raising an eyebrow.

JOE

Oh, I intended it, all right.

But mere intent is not enough to commit the crime. Joe needs to have DONE something, as well. This second element is called the ACTUS REUS.

Actus reus is Latin for “guilty act.” In other words, it has to be more than just an act. It has to be a “guilty” one. But what does that mean?