What does "actus reus" refer to?

"Actus reus" refers to the physical conduct that constitutes a criminal offense. In the realm of criminal law, establishing actus reus is crucial as it represents the actual act or behavior that violates the law. This includes not only voluntary physical actions but also certain omissions or failures to act where there is a legal duty to do so. An example might be a person who commits theft by physically taking someone else's property without consent.

Understanding actus reus is fundamental since it must be proven alongside "mens rea" (the mental state or intent behind the act) to establish a crime. While intent, consequences, and legal defenses are important components of criminal law, they do not define the physical act of the crime itself, which is the core focus of actus reus.