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The maxim "actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea" means

The maxim means that an act does not make a person guilty unless the mind is also guilty, so the two must concur: "Neither guilty intention alone nor the prohibited act…

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The maxim "actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea" means

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The maxim means that an act does not make a person guilty unless the mind is also guilty, so the two must concur: "Neither guilty intention alone nor the prohibited act alone constitutes an offence." A guilty intention that merely follows the act does not suffice, so it is wrong to say "Prohibited act followed by guilty intention constitutes an offence", since mens rea must accompany the actus reus.

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