A person cannot be convicted of a crime unless the prosecution proves beyond a reasonable doubt a concurrence of a voluntary act and the required mental state that actually and proximately caused the prohibited social harm.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This statement accurately reflects the legal principle of actus reus (voluntary act) and mens rea (required mental state) as necessary elements of a criminal offense. Proving the existence of these elements and their causal connection to the harm caused by the crime is the burden of the prosecution in a criminal trial.

A Person Cannot Be Convicted of a Crime Unless the Prosecution