Criminal Intent

Mens rea is the Latin term for 'guilty mind' and refers to the mental state of a person who acts with the intent to commit a crime.

Negligence is not a type of mens rea because it does not involve a conscious intent to commit a crime.

Actus reus is the Latin term for 'guilty act' and refers to the physical act or omission that constitutes a crime.

Murder is a crime that requires specific intent, meaning that the perpetrator must have the intent to kill another person.

General intent requires a conscious awareness of the act that is being committed, while specific intent requires a conscious awareness of the consequences that will result from the act.

Trespassing is a crime that requires general intent, meaning that the perpetrator must have the intent to enter or remain on property without permission.

Justification is the legal term for the belief that one's actions are justified, even if they would otherwise be considered criminal.

Self-defense is an example of a justification defense, which allows a person to use force to protect themselves or others from imminent harm.

Excuse is the legal term for the belief that one's actions are not justified, but that they should be excused because of extenuating circumstances.

Insanity is an example of an excuse defense, which allows a person to avoid criminal liability because they were mentally ill at the time of the crime.

Mitigation is the legal term for the belief that one's actions are not justified, but that the punishment should be reduced because of mitigating circumstances.

Remorse is an example of a mitigating circumstance, which can lead to a reduced sentence for a crime.

Specific intent is the intent to cause a particular result.

Murder is a crime that requires malice aforethought, which is the intent to kill another person.

Premeditation is the intent to cause a result that is substantially certain to occur.