A Level Law Practice Exam

For a state to be classified as automatism, what condition must be met?

1. D's automatic state must be caused by an internal factor

2. D's automatic state must have no external cause

3. D's automatic state must be caused by an external factor

4. D must willingly enter an automatic state

The correct answer is: D's automatic state must be caused by an external factor

To classify a state as automatism in legal terms, the condition that must be met is that the automatic state arises due to an external factor. This typically refers to situations where the individual is in an unconscious or involuntary state of action due to external influences, such as a sudden physical blow, a medical condition triggered by environment factors, or through the influence of drugs or alcohol. In this context, automatism can serve as a defense in criminal law, indicating that the defendant had no control over their actions at the time of the offense due to these external factors. This is crucial because it differentiates between actions taken with intent or knowledge—elements necessary for establishing criminal liability—and those taken without conscious awareness due to external circumstances. Understanding this distinction is essential for analyzing cases related to automatism in law.