Actus reus refers to what?

• A. The physical act or unlawful conduct
• B. The mental intent
• C. The voluntariness of confession
• D. The location of the crime

Answer: (A)

Actus reus is the physical act or unlawful conduct that the law punishes. It’s the observable component of a crime—the action itself (or, in some cases, a legally required omission) that meets the crime’s definition. This is different from mens rea, which is the mental state or intent behind the act. The option fits because it defines actus reus as the physical act or unlawful conduct. The other choices describe mental state (intent), an unrelated matter (voluntariness of a confession), or a detail not defining the offense (the location of the crime).