According to A.R.S. §13-201, what is the basic requirement for criminal liability?

The basic requirement for criminal liability, as outlined in A.R.S. §13-201, emphasizes that conduct must involve a voluntary act or omission. This principle is foundational in criminal law because it establishes that for an individual to be held accountable for a crime, there must be a clear action or a failure to act that leads to a criminal outcome.

This voluntary aspect means that individuals cannot be punished for acts they did not willingly commit or control. A mere thought or intention without an accompanying act does not constitute a basis for liability. It ensures that the law targets behavior that a person has chosen to engage in or refrain from, aligning accountability with personal agency.

The other options do not accurately capture this essential element of criminal law. Intentional actions, while they can contribute to liability in specific cases, do not address the necessity of a voluntary act. Additionally, criminal liability is not limited to law enforcement personnel or restricted to public interactions, as those concepts do not reflect the broader scope of criminal accountability applicable to all individuals under the law.