actus reus

actus reus
ac·tus re·us /'ak-təs-'rē-əs, 'äk-tu̇s-'rā-u̇s/ n [New Latin, guilty deed]: the wrongful act that makes up the physical action of a crime see also crime compare mens rea

Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. . 1996.

actus reus
n.
(Latin) The guilty act; a criminal action.
See also mens rea

The Essential Law Dictionary. — Sphinx Publishing, An imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc. . 2008.


actus reus
See crime.

Collins dictionary of law. . 2001.


actus reus
Latin for a "guilty act." The actus reus is the act which, in combination with a certain mental state, such as intent or recklessness, constitutes a crime. For example, the crime of theft requires physically taking something (the actus reus) coupled with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the object (the mental state, or mens rea).
Category: Criminal Law
Category: Small Claims Court & Lawsuits

Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary. . 2009.


actus reus
n. The voluntary and wrongful act or omission that constitutes the physical components of a crime. Because a person cannot be punished for bad thoughts alone, there can be no criminal liability without actus reus.

Webster's New World Law Dictionary. . 2000.


actus reus
(Latin: Guilty act.)
As an element of criminal responsibility, the wrongful act or omission that comprises the physical components of a crime. Criminal statutes generally require proof of both actus reus and mens rea on the part of a defendant in order to establish criminal liability.

Dictionary from West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005.


actus reus
[Latin, Guilty act.] As an element of criminal responsibility, the wrongful act or omission that comprises the physical components of a crime. Criminal statutes generally require proof of both actus reus and mens rea on the part of a defendant in order to establish criminal liability.

Short Dictionary of (mostly American) Legal Terms and Abbreviations.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Actus reus — sometimes called the external element or the objective element of a crime, is the Latin term for the guilty act which, when proved beyond a reasonable doubt in combination with the mens rea , guilty mind , produces criminal liability in the comm …   Wikipedia

  • Actus reus — est le terme latin signifiant l acte de culpabilité (l élément externe ou objectif d une infraction criminelle). C est un élément essentiel dans la détermination d un crime. Ainsi, lorsqu aucun doute raisonnable ne subsiste par suite de la… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • actus reus — /asktas riyas/ The guilty act. A wrongful deed which renders the actor criminally liable if combined with mens rea. The actus reus is the physical aspect of a crime, whereas the mens rea (guilty mind) involves the intent factor. Actus servi in… …   Black's law dictionary

  • actus reus — /asktas riyas/ The guilty act. A wrongful deed which renders the actor criminally liable if combined with mens rea. The actus reus is the physical aspect of a crime, whereas the mens rea (guilty mind) involves the intent factor. Actus servi in… …   Black's law dictionary

  • actus reus — /æktəs ˈreɪəs/ (say aktuhs rayuhs) noun Law the act or series of acts which constitute a crime, as opposed to the intention of the accused. See mens rea. {New Latin actus deed + reus guilty} …  

  • actus reus — noun a physical act that attracts criminal sanctions. See Also: mens rea …   Wiktionary

  • actus reus — criminal act, physical component of a criminal act …   English contemporary dictionary

  • actus reus — [ˌaktəs reɪəs] noun Law action or conduct which is a constituent element of a crime, as opposed to the mental state of the accused. Compare with mens rea. Origin L., lit. guilty act …   English new terms dictionary

  • actus reus — noun activity that transgresses moral or civil law he denied any wrongdoing • Syn: ↑wrongdoing, ↑wrongful conduct, ↑misconduct • Derivationally related forms: ↑misconduct (for: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • non est reus nisi mens sit rea — /non est riyas naysay menz sit riya/ One is not guilty unless his intention be guilty. This maxim is much criticized and is only applicable when the absence of intent reduces the seriousness of the crime. See actus non facit reum, etc.; mens rea …   Black's law dictionary

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