Which term describes the physical act or unlawful omission?

Which term describes the physical act or unlawful omission?

• A. Arraignment
• B. Mens rea
• C. Actus reus
• D. Plea bargain

Answer: (C)

Actus reus is the physical component of crime—the act itself or a failure to act when there’s a legal duty. It captures what the person did (or didn’t do) that breaches the statute. Crimes require both actus reus and mens rea, the mental state like intent or recklessness. For example, pulling a trigger is an act; failing to feed a dependent when legally required is an omission that can be unlawful. The other terms refer to different concepts: arraignment is the court filing appearance to face charges, plea bargain is a negotiated guilty plea, and mens rea is the mental element. So the term describing the physical act or unlawful omission is actus reus.

Actus reus is the physical component of crime—the act itself or a failure to act when there’s a legal duty. It captures what the person did (or didn’t do) that breaches the statute. Crimes require both actus reus and mens rea, the mental state like intent or recklessness. For example, pulling a trigger is an act; failing to feed a dependent when legally required is an omission that can be unlawful. The other terms refer to different concepts: arraignment is the court filing appearance to face charges, plea bargain is a negotiated guilty plea, and mens rea is the mental element. So the term describing the physical act or unlawful omission is actus reus.