Lexica → Phrase → actus reus
| Letter | A |
|---|---|
| Letter name | a |
| Pronounciation | /eɪ/ |
| Phrase: | actus reus |
|---|---|
| Pronounciation: | |
| Century: | 16th |
| DA Name: | actus reus |
| Era: | C.E. |
| Origin: | Original |
| Type: | Official |
| Source Language: | Latin |
Source Language Words: | actus="doing, action, esp. on stage" and reus="defendant, accused, answerable" |
| Source Text: | Edward Coke (b.1552-d.1634) |
Definition: | Meaning literally "(the) actions of the accused (defendant)". created by Edward Coke (b.1552-d.1634) actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea commonly and incorrectly translated as meaning "an act does not make a person guilty unless (their) mind is also guilty"--reus never originally meaning guilt in Latin. Nonetheless, the maxim actus reus is most frequently misquoted as "Guilty act". In strict legal terms, actus reus is defined as "The offence of which the defendant is accused"--therefore a logically necessary element of criminal law (the offence) and in classical JURISPRUDENCE requiring CONCURRENCE with mens rea . |