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Simple English definitions for legal terms
involuntary act
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A quick definition of involuntary act:
An involuntary act is something that happens without a person meaning to do it or being able to control it. Examples of involuntary acts include reflexes and convulsions. In some cases, if someone does something involuntarily, they may not be held responsible for it in criminal law. However, in some places, if someone is forced to do something, it may still be considered voluntary, but they may be able to use a defense like duress. In other places, if someone is forced to do something, it will be considered involuntary and they won't be held responsible for it.
A more thorough explanation:
An involuntary act is an action that is not consciously controlled by the mind or over which a person has no control. Examples of involuntary acts include reflexes or convulsions. In criminal law, involuntary actions may absolve the actor of liability.
For instance, if someone has a seizure and accidentally hits someone, they cannot be held responsible for their actions because they had no control over their body at that time.
In some jurisdictions, actions that are coerced are considered voluntary. However, defenses such as duress may still be available. In other jurisdictions, coercion will negate the voluntariness of the act, and the act will be considered involuntary.
For example, if someone is forced to commit a crime at gunpoint, they may not be held responsible for their actions because they were coerced into doing it.