 This can be compared to a strict liability offence (where an accused can raise the defence of due diligence) and "mens rea" offences (where the prosecutor has to prove that the accused had some positive state of mind).Generally, criminal offences are presumed to be "mens rea" offences, and regulatory offences are presumed to be strict liability offences.Therefore, most offences are not absolute liability offences, and usually will require an explicit statement in the statute.