Meaning:
The act does not make a person guilty unless the mind is also guilty.
Explanation:
To be criminally liable, both a wrongful act (actus reus) and a guilty mind (mens rea) must be present.
Example:
Accidentally damaging someone’s property without any intent usually isn’t a crime—it may be a civil matter, but not a criminal one.
Importance:
This maxim protects people from being punished for mere accidents, ensuring only intentional or reckless acts are criminalised.