Causation
Mens Rea
Actus Reus
Act
Harm
Causation
1. Actual Cause
“But for” the act, would the
harm have occurred … when
it occurred?
2. Proximate Cause
Should the defendant be
responsible?
Proximate Causation Arguments (to break the chain of causation)
1. Foreseeability
Responsive?
Highly Abnormal?
x
Coincidental?
Unforseeable?
2. Apparent safety
3. Voluntary human intervention
Proximate Causation Arguments (to not break the chain of causation)
4. Intended consequences
5. De minimus
Remote &
Unjust?
6. Omissions
7. MPC 2.03
Accidental?
8. NY: “natural and probable consequences”
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