Legal unit 1 aos 2

• define homicide by firearm

  the killing of a person by discharging a firearm in circumstances that would normally be manslaughter
• define culpable driving causing death

  the act of causing the death of another person while driving a motor vehicle in a negligent or reckless manner
• define child homicide

  the killing of a child under 6 years old in circumstances that would normally be manslaughter.
• define infanticide 


  the killing by a mother of a child under two years of age while suffering a mental condition caused by the effects of that Childs birth
• define strict liability


  refers to where responsibility for a crime can be established without having to proving their was mens era.
• list purposes of criminal law


  protecting individuals protecting property protecting society protecting justice.
• define criminal law


  an area of law that defines behaviour and conduct that are prohibited and outlines sanctions for people who commit them
• define presumption of innocence


  refers to the right of a person accused of a crime to be presumed not guilty unless proven otherwise.
• describe beyond reasonable doubt


  the standard of proof in criminal cases. this requires the prosecution to prove there is no reasonable doubt that the accused committed the offence
• define standard of proof


  the degree or extent to which a case must be proved in court
• describe the burden of proof

  the obligation of a party to prove a case. the burden of proof usually falls on the party that initiated the action. in civil cases, the plaintiff and in criminal cases, the prosecution.
• define a prosecutor

  the representative of the prosecution who is responsible for conducting the criminal case and appearing in court.
• define actus reus

  actus reus is a latin term meaning a guilty act. it refers to a physical element of a crime, the act itself.
• define mens rea


  a latin term meaning guilty mind. it refers to the mental element of a crime, an awareness to the fact that the conduct is criminal.