10 Jun Prior to beginning work on this discussion, read A Statutory App

Prior to beginning work on this discussion, read A Statutory Approach to Criminal Law (Links to an external site.) and Chapter 4: The Elements of a Crime (Links to an external site.). Additionally, watch Components of a Statute (Links to an external site.).Understanding the elements of a crime, particularly the distinctions  between guilty mind and guilty act, are essential components for all  criminal justice professionals to comprehend. Take the time this week to  understand these concepts fully, and be prepared to use the information  gained to analyze all criminal law questions throughout this course and  in your professional career. It is natural to assume that either a  mental state or criminal act can be easily proven; however, the old  expression that “the devil is in the details” truly applies to these  foundational, legal concepts. Always remember that the state must prove  all elements of a criminal charge beyond a reasonable doubt, and that  burden of proof rests solely on the state. Your initial post must be at  least 300 words in length. Support your responses with credible  sourcing, either from the required readings this week, or from  independent research that you conduct in the Ashford University Library  or online, and properly cite any references.Please answer the following questions below: Distinguish between the terms actus reus and mens rea. How are they significant in criminal law? To what standard of law must the defendant’s mens rea be proven in  order to gain a criminal conviction? Must the state prove “what the  defendant was thinking at the time of the crime” in order to prove mens  rea? Why or why not? To what standard of law must each element of the actus reus be proven, and why? Which of the two legal requirements listed above (i.e., actus reus  and mens rea) is more difficult to prove beyond a reasonable doubt in a  trial, and why?