LS202 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Summary Offence, 18 Months, Actus Reus
Document Summary
Anything written in latin is in italics as are cases. Elements of actus reus: conduct, circumstances, consequences. Exceptions to the rule; consequences not required, conduct not required. The crown must prove two things beyond a reasonable doubt: that the accused"s conduct caused a particular event or situation (actus reus) Guilty actions: that this conduct was accompanied by a criminal state of mind (mens rea) Actus reus elements justify intervention of justice system, something bad happened. To be guilty, crown must prove that mens rea coincided with actus reus at some point during the offence. Principle: the state should punish citizens for their actions (or lack thereof), not for their intentions. Law punishes past behaviour not reward future intentions. Tom cruise, set in the future 2054, police punish future criminals who haven"t done anything bad yet. National registration system for convicted sex offenders. Registered offenders must report annually to the police.