What are the elements of a crime?

Elements are the ingredients needed for a conviction.

By , Attorney ● UC Law San Francisco
Updated 5/07/2024

Each crime has its own set of elements—components that the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt in order to establish the defendant's guilt. If the prosecution fails to prove any element, then the jury must acquit.

For example, a drug possession law might require that the defendant:

  • have physical or constructive possession
  • of a usable amount of a controlled substance in a usable form
  • while knowing that he or she possesses the substance, and that it's a drug.

So, if the prosecution can establish that Michael had a bag of marijuana in his pocket, but can't show that he knew that the substance was cannabis rather than a Caprese salad, the jury must acquit. Or, if the government can show that Wallace had cocaine inside his jacket pocket, but that it was only a trace amount that couldn't be used, then he isn't guilty.

For further reading on a related topic see Lesser Included Offenses.

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