Legal Studies 3080


Actus Reus

Sometimes, an actus reus can be something other than an act or omission; it can be a state of being. For instance, the Criminal Code makes it an offence simply to possess break-in instruments under certain circumstances.


The chart that follows summarizes the three types of actus reus recognized by the courts, along with an example of each.


Actus Reus
 Example

an action

 
committing an assault


omitting an action

 
failing to assist a police officer when called upon      
  

having a certain state of being     
        
possessing break-in instruments