Criminal Responsibility

the definition of a crime has never yet been clearly made. A crime has been described as a result of human conduct, which it is the policy of the governing power in the state to prevent. Usually it is followed by a punishment , but this was not always so. In early years, suffering was imposed on the wrongdoer, and in Roman times expiation was necessary to placate the offended gods. That which did the deed was given the blame. In the thirteenth century, a distinction between crime and tort was made. Damages were awarded by a tribunal and so it was felt that there should be some tests for a man's legal responsibility for the chain of circumstances which led to the wrong. At this time, the Church was associated with moral values, penance and atonement. By a combination of Church and State, penance and atonement became linked with compensation to an injured party, so that a new concept arose?the mental attitude of the offender at the time of the act. A man's actions were considered wicked if he intended to do a wicked act.