Actus Reus - Law Dictionary Search Results
Home Dictionary Name: actus reusActus reus
Actus reus, means the wrongful deed that comprises the physical components of a crime and that generally must be coupled with mens rea to establish criminal liability; a forbidden act i.e. the actus reus for theft is the taking of or unlawful control over property without the owner's consent. Also termed deed of crime; overt act, Black Law Dictionary, 7th Edn., p. 37.The phrase 'deed of crime' i.e. actus reus as so used does not indicate the crime itself but merely one of the ingredients of crime; and this ingredient may be present without any crime at all, just as hydrogen is one of the ingredients of water but may be present without water. The words 'deed of crime' are so suggesting of the crime itself, however, that perhaps the Latin phrase 'actus reus' is less likely to cause confusion. The actus reus is essential to crime but is not sufficient for this purpose without the necessary mens rea, just as mens rea is essential to crime but is sufficient without the necessary 'actus reus...
actus reus
actus reus [New Latin, guilty deed] : the wrongful act that makes up the physical action of a crime see also crime compare mens rea ...
act
act 1 a : something done by a person in accordance with his or her free will [a tortious ] see also actus reus b : the failure to do something that one has a legal duty to do called also negative act 2 a often cap : the formal product of a legislative body : the formally declared will of a legislature the final requirement of which is usually the signature of the proper executive officer : statute [an of Congress] b : a decision or determination of a sovereign, a legislative council, or a court of justice compare bill 3 often cap : a formal record of something done or transacted [given as my free and deed] [matters of procedure are provided for in that Act "Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 81(a)(6)"] vi 1 : to carry into effect a determination of the will : take action 2 : to discharge the duties of a specified office or post : perform a specified function used with a prepositional phrase [declaring what officer shall then as President "U.S. Constitution art. II"] ...
mens rea
mens rea pl: men·tes re·ae [men-tēz-rē-ē, men-tās-rā-ī] [New Latin, literally, guilty mind] : a culpable mental state ;esp : one involving intent or knowledge and forming an element of a criminal offense [murder contains a mens rea element] compare actus reus ...
Actore non probante absolvitur reus (Hob. 103)
Actore non probante absolvitur reus (Hob. 103) [Lat.], When the plaintiff does not prove his case the defendant is acquitted....
Confitens reus
Confitens reus, an accused person who admits his guilt....
Paribus sententiis reus absolvitur
Paribus sententiis reus absolvitur [Lat.], where opinions are equal, a defendant is acquitted....
Reus
Reus, a defendant, properly the debtor to whom the question was put. Rei, the parties or litigants, Cum. C.L. 251.Means a party to a suit, whether plaintiff or defendant, Black's Law Dictionary, 7th Edn., p. 1319....
Reus lasa majestatis punitur, ut pereat unus ne pereant omnes
Reus lasa majestatis punitur, ut pereat unus ne pereant omnes (4 Co. 124) a traitor is punished that one and not all may perish....
Actus
Actus, a servitude of footway and horseway, Civil Law.Means an act or action, a thing done. Act of Parliament esp. one passed by both houses but not yet approved by the Monarch, Black Law Dictionary, 7th Edn., p. 37...
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