Which statement defines actus reus?

• A. The criminal act or prohibited conduct.
• B. The mental state.
• C. The result of the crime.
• D. The sentencing guidelines.

Answer: (B)

Actus reus is the physical part of a crime—the actual act or the prohibited conduct the law forbids. It’s the concrete action or omission that constitutes the offense, such as striking another person or failing to perform a legal duty when required. This is the tangible side of liability, separate from what the person was thinking or intending at the time.

The mental state that accompanies the act is called mens rea, and it describes the defendant’s intent, knowledge, or recklessness. Most crimes require both the act and the mental state, though there are exceptions where the law imposes liability without proof of intent (strict liability). The result of the crime, when it’s an element, refers to the outcome the law requires (like causing a specific injury or death), and sentencing guidelines relate to punishment, not the offense’s elements.