Elements of crime, law homework help

Understanding the elements of a
crime, particularly the distinctions between guilty mind and guilty act, are
essential components for all criminal justice professionals to comprehend. Take
the time this week to understand these concepts fully, and be prepared to use
the information gained to analyze all criminal law questions throughout this
course and in your professional career. It is natural to assume that either a
mental state or criminal act can be easily proven; however, the old expression
that “the devil is in the details” truly applies to these foundational, legal
concepts. Always remember that the state must prove all elements of a criminal
charge beyond a reasonable doubt, and that burden of proof rests solely on the state.
Your initial post must be at least 300 words in length. Support your claims
with examples from the required materials and/or other scholarly resources, and
properly cite any references.

Please answer the following
questions below:

• Distinguish between the terms actus reus and mens
  rea. How are they significant in criminal law?

• To what standard of law must the defendant’s mens
  rea be proven in order to gain a criminal conviction? Must the state
  prove “what the defendant was thinking at the time of the crime” in order
  to prove mens rea? Why or why not?

• To what standard of law must each element of the actus
  reus be proven, and why?

• Which of the two legal requirements listed above (i.e.,
  actus reus, mens rea) is more difficult to prove beyond a
  reasonable doubt in a trial, and why?