What is a voluntary act according to Missouri Criminal Law?

In Missouri Criminal Law, a voluntary act is defined as a bodily movement that is controlled by the individual. This concept is essential because criminal liability typically requires a voluntary act, meaning that the individual must have engaged in a conscious and intentional action. A bodily movement indicates that the action is under the person's control and not performed involuntarily.

This definition excludes actions taken under emotional distress, reflexive reactions to stimuli, and acts performed under duress, as these do not reflect a voluntary choice made by the individual. Emotional distress can impair judgment, reflexive reactions are automatic responses not consciously directed, and duress involves compulsion by another party that negates the voluntariness of the act. Thus, a bodily movement stands out as the clear indicator of voluntary action in the framework of criminal law.