Legislation
SECTION 15.10
Requirements for criminal liability in general and for offenses of strict liability and mental culpability
Penal (PEN) CHAPTER 40, PART 1, TITLE B, ARTICLE 15
§ 15.10 Requirements for criminal liability in general and for offenses
of strict liability and mental culpability.
The minimal requirement for criminal liability is the performance by a
person of conduct which includes a voluntary act or the omission to
perform an act which he is physically capable of performing. If such
conduct is all that is required for commission of a particular offense,
or if an offense or some material element thereof does not require a
culpable mental state on the part of the actor, such offense is one of
"strict liability." If a culpable mental state on the part of the actor
is required with respect to every material element of an offense, such
offense is one of "mental culpability."
of strict liability and mental culpability.
The minimal requirement for criminal liability is the performance by a
person of conduct which includes a voluntary act or the omission to
perform an act which he is physically capable of performing. If such
conduct is all that is required for commission of a particular offense,
or if an offense or some material element thereof does not require a
culpable mental state on the part of the actor, such offense is one of
"strict liability." If a culpable mental state on the part of the actor
is required with respect to every material element of an offense, such
offense is one of "mental culpability."