Lesson 03

• Key concepts

  Strict liability

  Elements of a crime (mens rea/actus reus)

  Burdern of proof

  Standard of proof

  The age of criminal responsibility
• Burdern of proof

  Which party has the responsibility to prove the facts of the case.

  In criminal cases- prosecution
• Standard of proof

  Standard (strength) of evidence- the degree to which an allegation must be proven

  Criminal- beyond reasonable doubt

  Jury will decide on guilt
• Elements of a crime

  Actus reus

  Mens rea
• Mens rea

  Person's state of mind when they were engaging in the actions (or omissions)
• Actus reus

  Physical element

  Actions or omissions that a person needs to engage in
• Identifying elements of a crime

  For a person to be found guilty, the prosecution must prove all elements of the crime beyond reasonable doubt
• Strict liability

  No mental element (mens rea) in their legal definition

  Sufficient for a person to commit the act with no mens rea
• Criminal age of responsibility

  The age a person must be to be charged with a crime
• Ages of Criminal responsibility

  <10 cannot be charged

  10-13 prosecution can prove child knew at the time of the crime their actions were wrong (mens rea)

  14+ criminally liable for their actions