Criminal Law — Comprehensive Outline

I. General Principles of Criminal Liability

A. The Actus Reus

• Requirement of Voluntary Act: Liability requires a voluntary bodily movement. Involuntary acts include (1) reflex/convulsion, (2) sleepwalking, or (3) unconsciousness.
• Omissions: Generally no duty to act, unless (1) statutory duty, (2) contract, (3) relationship (parent/child), (4) voluntary assumption of care, or (5) creation of peril.
• Exam Tip: If the defendant has a seizure or is unconscious, they cannot commit a voluntary act.

B. The Mens Rea

• Specific Intent: Requires subjective desire to achieve the prohibited result (e.g., solicitation, conspiracy, attempt, burglary, larceny, embezzlement).
• General Intent: Requires only intent to perform the act (e.g., battery, rape, kidnappin