Legal Definitions - elements (of a crime)

Definition: Elements of a crime are the different parts that make up a crime. In order to prove that someone committed a crime, the prosecution must prove each of these elements beyond a reasonable doubt. For example, the crime of burglary has five elements: (1) breaking into a place; (2) entering the place; (3) the place belongs to someone else; (4) it's nighttime; and (5) the person intended to commit a crime inside. The prosecution must prove all five of these elements to show that the defendant committed burglary.

Examples:

• Theft: taking someone else's property without their permission and with the intent to keep it for yourself.
• Murder: causing the death of another person with the intent to do so.
• Assault: intentionally causing someone to fear that they will be harmed.

These examples illustrate how each crime has different elements that must be proven in order to show that the defendant committed the crime. For example, in order to prove theft, the prosecution must show that the defendant took someone else's property without permission and intended to keep it for themselves. If they can't prove both of these elements, then the defendant can't be convicted of theft.