Which term describes the mental state requiring intent to commit the prohibited act?

Which term describes the mental state requiring intent to commit the prohibited act?

• A. General Intent
• B. Specific Intent
• C. Strict Liability
• D. Negligence

Answer: (B)

Specific intent means the defendant must act with a conscious objective to bring about a particular result or to commit the prohibited act itself. The phrase “intent to commit the prohibited act” expresses that purpose behind the action, not merely performing the act on a whim or by accident. In crimes requiring specific intent, prosecutors must show that the defendant planned or aimed to achieve a forbidden outcome, such as entering to commit a crime inside or attempting to commit theft. General intent, by contrast, only requires that the person intended to perform the act itself, not necessarily to achieve a particular result. Strict liability crimes impose liability without any mental-state proof, and negligence involves a failure to exercise reasonable care rather than a deliberate purpose to commit the act.

Specific intent means the defendant must act with a conscious objective to bring about a particular result or to commit the prohibited act itself. The phrase “intent to commit the prohibited act” expresses that purpose behind the action, not merely performing the act on a whim or by accident. In crimes requiring specific intent, prosecutors must show that the defendant planned or aimed to achieve a forbidden outcome, such as entering to commit a crime inside or attempting to commit theft.

General intent, by contrast, only requires that the person intended to perform the act itself, not necessarily to achieve a particular result. Strict liability crimes impose liability without any mental-state proof, and negligence involves a failure to exercise reasonable care rather than a deliberate purpose to commit the act.