Mens Rea (Noun)
Meaning
(law) criminal intent; the thoughts and intentions behind a wrongful act (including knowledge that the act is illegal); often at issue in murder trials.
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Examples
- The prosecution had to prove the defendant's mens rea to secure a conviction for murder.
- The jury was instructed to consider the defendant's state of mind to determine if he had the requisite mens rea for the crime.
- The court held that the defendant's actions were not criminal because he lacked the necessary mens re strict liability.
- The defendant's claim of insanity was an attempt to negate the mens rea required for the crime.
- The concept of mens rea is central to the distinction between murder and manslaughter.