What term describes criminal intent?

Prepare for the ATT Law Exam. Practice with multiple choice questions, each providing hints and explanations. Be well-prepared for exam day!

Multiple Choice

What term describes criminal intent?

The mental element behind most crimes is mens rea. This describes the state of mind of the person when committing the act, such as intention or knowledge of wrongdoing. The plain-language term that captures this idea is criminal intent, which is why this choice fits best. Other terms point to different concepts: a guilty act corresponds to actus reus, the actual physical act; negligence is a failure to exercise reasonable care and can be part of some offenses but isn’t the term for criminal intent; strict liability refers to offenses where no mental state is required at all.

The mental element behind most crimes is mens rea. This describes the state of mind of the person when committing the act, such as intention or knowledge of wrongdoing. The plain-language term that captures this idea is criminal intent, which is why this choice fits best. Other terms point to different concepts: a guilty act corresponds to actus reus, the actual physical act; negligence is a failure to exercise reasonable care and can be part of some offenses but isn’t the term for criminal intent; strict liability refers to offenses where no mental state is required at all.

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