criminal liability

Criminal liability refers to the legal responsibility individuals have when they commit a crime. It means that if a person breaks the law, they can be held accountable and face penalties, such as fines or imprisonment. For someone to be criminally liable, generally, two elements must exist: the act itself (actus reus) and the intent (mens rea) behind it. This ensures that individuals are punished not just for their actions but also for their intentions, distinguishing between accidental behavior and purposeful wrongdoing.