Flashcard: Foundations of Actus Reus and Causation — 16 carte

Actus Reus — definition?

The physical element of a crime.

Sine Qua Non — role?

Indispensable condition for criminal liability.

Substantive and Objective — relation?

Actus reus involves physical facts, not mental state.

Ingredients of Actus Reus?

Actions, omissions, causal link.

Conduct Element — definition?

Physical behavior constituting actus reus.

Conduct varies by?

Offense type and legal definition.

Action or Omission — criminal?

Both can be criminal if law prescribes.

Duty to Act — source?

Law, relationships, voluntary assumption.

Circumstance Element — role?

External facts necessary for offense.

Result Element — purpose?

Establishes harm caused by conduct.

Causation — meaning?

Link between conduct and result.

Factual Causation — test?

'But for' the conduct, result wouldn’t occur.

Legal Causation — focus?

Substantial and blameworthy cause.

Intervening Acts — effect?

Can break causation if independent and unforeseeable.

Factual vs Legal — difference?

Factual: 'but for' test; Legal: normative judgment.

Types of Causation?

Direct, indirect, concurrent, cumulative.