Crim law CH3 Causation

what is factual causation?

whether the accused’s conduct actually contributed to the prohibited consequence

what is the “but for” test?

A legal test to determine if the consequence would have occurred but for the defendant's conduct.

what is legal causation?

whether the accused should be legally responsible for the consequence

what happens when another act occurs between the accused’s conduct and death?

The court considers whether the intervening act breaks the legal causation chain by becoming a significant factor in producing the result.

does an intervening act automatically break causation?

no, it depends on whether the act is significant enough to sever the causal link between the original conduct and the resulting consequence.

must the exact consequence be foreseeable?

no. the general nature of the intervening act and risk of harm can be enough.

what is a significant contributing cause?

the accused’s conduct must be a significant contributing cause of the death

can normal medical treatment break causation?

Generally no; obvious medical negligence may in some circumstances