Question

How do you define criminal liability? And what are the act/s that do not constitute criminal liability because of certain circumstances?​

Answer 1

Criminal liability refers to a person's legal responsibility for committing a crime. It requires both the act and the mental state of the offender. Self-defense, insanity, duress, and mistake of fact are examples of circumstances that do not constitute criminal liability.

Step-by-step explanation:

Criminal liability refers to a person's legal responsibility for committing a crime. In general, criminal liability requires both the act (actus reus) and the mental state (mens rea) of the offender. The actus reus refers to the physical act or conduct that is prohibited by law, while the mens rea refers to the culpable mental state or intent of the offender.

However, there are certain circumstances in which an act does not constitute criminal liability. These include:

1. Self-defense: When a person reasonably believes that they are in immediate danger and uses reasonable force to protect themselves.
2. Insanity: If a person is found to be mentally ill and unable to understand the nature and consequences of their actions.
3. Duress: When a person commits a crime because they were forced or threatened by someone else.
4. Mistake of Fact: When a person commits an act, believing it to be legal or justified, but later discovers their mistake.