Which statement best contrasts general intent with specific intent?

Which statement best contrasts general intent with specific intent?

• A. General intent requires proof of a particular mental state; Specific intent requires intent to achieve a particular result
• B. General intent requires no mental state; Specific intent requires malice
• C. General intent is always capital; Specific intent is always misdemeanor
• D. General intent relies on strict liability; Specific intent relies on negligence

Answer: (A)

The main idea is the level of purposeful mental state required for the crime. General intent crimes require proof that the defendant consciously intended to perform the act itself—there’s an act plus a basic intention to do it. Specific intent crimes require proof of an extra purpose: that the defendant intended to achieve a particular result beyond just performing the act. The statement matches that distinction by saying general intent involves proof of a mental state (intent to perform the act) and specific intent adds the requirement of intending a specific result. The other options mix in concepts (malice, capital status, strict liability, negligence) that don’t define the general-vs-specific intent distinction.

The main idea is the level of purposeful mental state required for the crime. General intent crimes require proof that the defendant consciously intended to perform the act itself—there’s an act plus a basic intention to do it. Specific intent crimes require proof of an extra purpose: that the defendant intended to achieve a particular result beyond just performing the act. The statement matches that distinction by saying general intent involves proof of a mental state (intent to perform the act) and specific intent adds the requirement of intending a specific result. The other options mix in concepts (malice, capital status, strict liability, negligence) that don’t define the general-vs-specific intent distinction.