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Actus Reus
Completion requirements
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 |