ELEMENTS OF A CRIME: MENS REA AND ACTUS REUS

A crime is not merely an deed. To be deemed criminal, it must encompass both the physical action known as actus reus and the mental state referred to mens rea. Actus reus refers to the offensive performance itself. It encompasses any deliberate movement or omission that violates a criminal law. Mens rea, on the other hand, is the motive behind the