Mens Rea

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
Share This
« Back to Glossary Index

Mens rea is a term that describes the legally required mental state necessary to establish criminal liability

Mens rea requires a specific and knowing intent to commit a criminal act. Establishing the defendant’s criminal intent (guilty mind) is a necessary element in proving the accused is guilty of a crime.

Related Articles

Criminal And Civil Law

April 21, 2021
Differences Between Criminal And Civil Law Civil matters adjudicate conflict between individuals and business entities, and criminal matters involve alleged wrongs committed by individuals against the public. This article will look at some of the differences between criminal and civil law: Criminal Law In criminal cases, the prosecutor's role is to represent the state or…
Read more →

Types of Criminal Defenses

April 21, 2021
There are a variety of criminal defenses that may allow a defendant to avoid legal responsibility for their criminal actions. This article spotlights some of the most common affirmative and mitigating defenses to crimes, such as self-defense, duress-coercion, heat of passion, diminished capacity, insanity, and temporary insanity. Understanding Criminal Defenses Presumption of Innocence Under the law,…
Read more →

Murder vs. Manslaughter: Legal Definitions and Distinctions

April 21, 2021
Within the general classification of homicide, which is legally defined as an act or omission which causes the death of another, there are the crimes of murder and manslaughter. The essential difference between murder and manslaughter is the degree of intent and requisite state of mind of the person committing the homicide. In legal terms,…
Read more →

Criminal Justice Systems

April 21, 2021
Each state's criminal justice system consists of legislative bodies that enact criminal laws and policing agencies that enforce them. The same is true for the federal criminal justice system. Federal and State Criminal Justice System Similarities Each state and the federal government have robust law enforcement agencies that include highly trained police officers and law…
Read more →

Manslaughter By Psychological Abuse

April 21, 2021
When psychological abuse is weaponized and results in another person's death, can this be sufficient legal grounds to charge and convict the defendant with manslaughter? This article reviews a case where the facts supported a charge of manslaughter and examines the legal basis supporting and against such a conviction. Psychological Abuse - A Deadly Weapon…
Read more →

Affiliate disclosure

GotTrouble.org is a one-stop free and open consumer information and expert resource.

Our information helps guide people through the complexity of life-changing legal, financial, and emotional challenges.

One way of doing this is by providing our visitors with a wide range of third-party resources. Some of which are affiliates.

Should you visit an affiliate, we will disclose this fact, and we may earn a commission. We ask that you use your independent judgment in deciding whether an offered service or product fits your needs and purposes.

If you have questions, please get in touch with us at inquiries@GotTrouble.org.

Sponsors

Get Our Newsletter

Get Listing Information

Learn How

We are the only A-Z-resource solving the legal, financial, and emotional side of life-changing trouble.

Contact us