There are typically said to be two parts, or elements, to
a crime. Both of the elements must be present in order for a person to have committed a
crime. The elements are the act and the
intent.
In order to have
committed a crime, a person must have actually done something. A person cannot commit a
crime simply by thinking about it. Wanting very badly to steal something is not a
crime.
However, the act itself is not enough. There must
be intent (unless something is a "strict liability" offense like selling alcohol to a
minor). If, for example, you take someone else's bicycle from a rack because it is
identical to yours and you have mistaken it, there is no criminal intent and therefore
no crime.
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