200 words

A crime requires two important elements: the criminal intent (mens rea) and the criminal act (actus reus), which must be voluntary. You are a newly appointed police officer working in a high crime area. It is important for you to be able to apply what you learned in the police academy about the elements of crime to the street. 

Focus your discussion post of 200 words on the following:

• Why are criminal thoughts not penalized by criminal law? 
• Provide some examples of the type of behavior that is considered to be an involuntary act. 
• Why are involuntary acts not criminally punished? 
• Define criminal intent, and provide examples.