Topic 1: Principles Of Criminal Liability - Actus Reus

Question 1

What is actus reus?

Answer 1

‘Guilty act’

Question 2

What must the act or omission be on part of the Defendant?

Answer 2

Voluntary

Question 3

What is a state of affairs case? Give an example.

Answer 3

Rare instances where the Defendant has been convicted even though they didn’t act voluntary.

Larsonneur

Question 4

What is the Good Samaritan law?

Answer 4

Where a person is responsible for helping others in an emergency situation, even if they’re complete strangers.

Question 5

What are the 6 exceptions to the general rule of omissions? (Duty to act)

Answer 5

A statutory duty
A contractual duty
A duty because of a special relationship
A voluntary duty
A duty through ones official position
A duty through setting in motion a chain of events

Question 6

What is the duty of doctors?

Answer 6

Doctors will only do what they believe to be in the best interests of the patient (stopping artificial feeding, turn off life support machines)