Which concept emphasizes actus reus while excluding mens rea?

The concept that emphasizes actus reus while excluding mens rea is strict liability. In strict liability offenses, an individual can be held liable for committing a prohibited act, regardless of whether there was intention or knowledge of wrongdoing. This legal framework is often applied in regulatory and public welfare offenses where the focus is on the act itself rather than the mental state of the individual committing the act.

Strict liability is particularly important in areas such as environmental law, consumer protection, and safety regulations, where the emphasis is on ensuring compliance and protecting the public, rather than proving intent. The absence of a mens rea standard in these cases reflects the intention of the law to promote accountability and deter harmful behavior, even if the individual did not have malicious intent or was not negligent.