Criminal Justice Practice Exam

The term ___ refers to criminal conduct - specifically, intentional or criminally negligent action or inaction that causes harm.

1. Concurrence

2. Mena rea

3. Ex post facto

4. Actus reus

The correct answer is: Actus reus

The term actus reus specifically refers to the physical act or conduct that constitutes a criminal offense. It encompasses any action (or sometimes inaction) that leads to harm or a negative outcome. In criminal law, establishing actus reus is essential, as it demonstrates that the defendant engaged in behavior that resulted in a crime being committed. This concept is foundational in determining criminal liability, as it focuses on the defendant's behavior rather than their mental state alone. In contrast, mens rea, which is another term associated with criminal law, refers to the mental state or intent behind the action. On the other hand, concurrence dictates that there must be a connection between the actus reus and mens rea, meaning both must occur together for a crime to be established. The term ex post facto relates to laws that apply retroactively, making it illegal to charge an individual under a law that was not in effect at the time the action was committed. Thus, actus reus is the most accurate term that describes the act or conduct leading to criminal liability.