What mental state and action are required for a crime?

The correct pairing for the mental state and action required for a crime is mens rea and actus reus.

Mens rea, which translates to "guilty mind," refers to the mental state or intent behind committing a crime. It indicates that the individual had a certain level of culpability or awareness of their actions. Different crimes require different levels of mens rea, ranging from negligence to intent.

Actus reus, which means "guilty act," is the physical action or conduct that constitutes the commission of a crime. This can include any form of voluntary bodily movement or omission where there is a legal duty to act.

For a crime to be established in the legal context, both elements must be present. Without the actus reus, there is no crime because there is no action to penalize. Similarly, without mens rea, an individual may not be held criminally liable because there was no intention or knowledge associated with their actions. Therefore, the combination of these two elements provides a foundational understanding of criminal liability, making this answer the most accurate.

The other options do not correctly pair the necessary components for a crime. Negligence refers to a lack of reasonable care rather than a comprehensive mental state that applies to all crimes