Which of the following must be proven to secure a conviction for a crime?

To secure a conviction for a crime, it is essential to establish several key elements: actus reus, mens rea, and causation. Actus reus refers to the "guilty act," which is the physical act or conduct that constitutes a criminal offense. Mens rea pertains to the "guilty mind," indicating that the individual had the intention or knowledge of committing the crime. Causation is necessary to link the defendant's actions to the resulting harm or consequence, showing that the act directly led to the outcome that constitutes the crime.

In criminal law, simply proving the guilty act alone (actus reus) is insufficient, as the prosecution must also demonstrate that the individual had the requisite mental state (mens rea) at the time of the crime. Furthermore, causation is crucial because it establishes a direct connection between the defendant's actions and the harm suffered by the victim or society. For a conviction to be upheld, all three elements must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, ensuring that not only did the individual commit a wrongful act, but they also intended to do so, and their actions were the direct cause of the crime's consequences.