When a crime is committed, how must it be executed?

The correct answer is that a crime must be executed voluntarily. For an act to be considered a crime, there typically needs to be a combination of both a wrongful act (actus reus) and a culpable mental state (mens rea). When a person acts voluntarily, it implies that they had control over their actions and made a conscious decision to engage in the behavior that constitutes the crime. Voluntary actions indicate that the individual had the capacity and intent to commit the act, which is essential in establishing criminal liability.

The concept of voluntary conduct aligns with the principle that individuals are only held accountable for actions they chose to undertake, reflecting their freedom of choice. Involuntary actions, on the other hand, may suggest a lack of control or intention, which typically exonerates a person from criminal responsibility. Therefore, recognizing that crimes must be executed voluntarily is fundamental to understanding how the legal system determines accountability for criminal behavior.