Actus Reus Definition

noun
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

(law) A criminal act, considered as separate from the intentions or state of mind of the perpetrator. [from 20th c.]

Wiktionary
Synonyms:

Other Word Forms of Actus Reus

Noun

Singular:
actus reus
Plural:
actus-rei

Origin of Actus Reus

  • From Late Latin actus reus (“guilty act"), from Latin āctus (“act") + reus (“guilty"), after mens rea.

    From Wiktionary

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