Which two offenses are cited as common law strict liability crimes?

• A. Welfare crimes (selling to minor) and Statutory rape
• B. Murder and Arson
• C. Battery and False imprisonment
• D. Kidnapping and Sex assault

Answer: (A)

Strict liability offenses do not require proof of a mental state beyond the act itself. In common law, selling to a minor and statutory rape are classic examples: the prohibited conduct is enough to convict, regardless of the defendant’s belief about the minor’s age.

Selling to a minor is strict liability because the sale to a person under the legal age is illegal regardless of the seller’s knowledge or belief about the buyer’s age. Statutory rape is likewise strict liability because intercourse with a minor is unlawful no matter what the defendant believed about the minor’s age.

The other options involve crimes that require some mental state or intent (murder and arson typically involve intent or recklessness; battery and false imprisonment involve intentional act or confinement; kidnapping and sex assault require purposeful conduct).