Jane is a firefighter who arrives at the scene of a house fire. She notices a child trapped inside but becomes distracted by other tasks and does not attempt a rescue. Tragically, the child dies from smoke inhalation. Under the principles of acts and omissions in criminal law, Jane could potentially be charged with:
Voluntary manslaughter due to emotional distress
No liability because there was no direct act causing harm
Criminal negligence due to her duty as a firefighter
Strict liability since firefighters are always responsible in emergencies
Jane has a legal duty to act as a firefighter. Her failure to attempt a rescue constitutes a negligent omission, making her potentially criminally liable for the child's death. The other options either misapply legal standards or do not recognize the duty inherent in her professional role.
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