← All traps
MisconceptionObserved in bank

Ability Equals Legal Duty

This trap appears as a wrong-answer choice in 1 active question. Spotting how it is built is the repair: read each example's “why it's attractive” before the “why it's wrong.”

Subject distribution

  • CRIMINAL1

Example wrong choices

  • 21460_barnabas-ledge · CRIMINAL · Choice ANo, because Lydia's own decision to explore the side path was a superseding cause that breaks the causal chain.

    Why it's attractive

    Applies causation doctrine before actus reus is established; premature. NOT_RESPONSIVE.

    Why it's wrong

    Applies causation doctrine before actus reus is established; premature. NOT_RESPONSIVE.

  • 21460_barnabas-ledge · CRIMINAL · Choice CYes, because Barnabas had the ability and equipment to save Lydia and chose not to.

    Why it's attractive

    Substitutes physical ability and equipment for the legal duty requirement. NOT_TRUE.

    Why it's wrong

    Substitutes physical ability and equipment for the legal duty requirement. NOT_TRUE.

  • 21460_barnabas-ledge · CRIMINAL · Choice DYes, because Barnabas's deliberate decision to walk away was the equivalent of an affirmative act causing Lydia's death.

    Why it's attractive

    States that deliberate inaction equals commission as a general rule. NOT_TRUE.

    Why it's wrong

    States that deliberate inaction equals commission as a general rule. NOT_TRUE.

Practice the questions that use this trap as a distractor and get full Wrong Answer Forensics on submit.

Practice questions using this trap →
Ability Equals Legal Duty — Trap Taxonomy | BarMatrix