SOC209H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Mens Rea, Actus Reus, Social Fact
Document Summary
Lecture 2 construction of crime, law, justice. An act or omission that is prohibited by criminal law must be codified by law as a violation individuals need to know what is legal and what is not. Deviant: activities that are not accepted by society but it is not illegal. Omission failing to report child abuse, failing to provide necessities of life. Mens rea: guilty mind guilty intent - belief that people control their behavior and can choose between right and wrong. To be convicted of most crimes, a person must have done something criminal and usually must have intended to do it. Accused is aware that action would cause harm. Individual violates a law simply by lacking the appropriate care and attention about something she/he is doing. Different from status say i"m drug deal but if i have not been caught distributing drugs, i have not done anything illegal.
