What is general intent?

Asked by: Alvena Russel I  |  Last update: February 19, 2022
Score: 4.4/5 (70 votes)

Primary tabs. Actual intent to perform some act, but without a wish for the consequences that result from that act. Depending on the offense alleged, both tort plaintiffs and criminal prosecutors may need to prove that the defendant acted with general intent. Contrast with specific intent and strict liability.

What's an example of general intent?

General intent crimes are associated with “actus rea,” the Latin term for actions crime. Examples of general intent crimes include reckless arson, battery, assault, rape, manslaughter, and driving under the influence.

What is general intent criminal law?

What is General Intent? General intent crimes don't require proof that a person intended to cause the harm or the result that occurred. Rather, the prosecution only needs to prove the defendant intended to commit the act and that it wasn't an accident.

Whats the difference between specific and general intent?

Specific and General Intent. ... General intent requires only intent as it "relates solely to the performance of the act in question", while specific intent involves "the performance of the actus reus, coupled with an intent or purpose going beyond the mere performance of the questioned act."

How do you prove general intent?

For general intent, the prosecution need only prove that the defendant intended to do the act in question, whereas proving specific intent would require the prosecution to prove that the defendant intended to bring about a specific consequence through his or her actions, or that he or she perform the action with a ...

Specific vs. General Intent

31 related questions found

What is general intent in Torts?

In CRIMINAL LAW and TORT LAW, a mental plan to do that which is forbidden by the law. Unlike offenses that require a SPECIFIC INTENT, it is not necessary that the accused intend the precise harm or result. It is sufficient if the person meant to do the act that caused the harm or result.

What are the 3 types of intent?

Three types of criminal intent exist: (1) general intent, which is presumed from the act of commission (such as speeding); (2) specific intent, which requires preplanning and presdisposition (such as burglary); and (3) constructive intent, the unintentional results of an act (such as a pedestrian death resulting from ...

Is robbery specific or general intent?

Unlike general intent, specific intent may not be inferred from the commission of the unlawful act. Examples of specific-intent crimes are solicitation, attempt, conspiracy, first-degree premeditated murder, assault, LARCENY, robbery, burglary, forgery, false pretense, and EMBEZZLEMENT.

Is theft a general or specific intent crime?

Theft is a specific intent crime because not only must the defendant intentionally commit an act of taking of another's property, but also must act with the specific intent to permanently deprive an owner of the property.

Is arson a general intent crime?

Some crimes require specific intent, such as theft. Some crimes, such as arson, require general intent. Still other crimes, such as involuntary manslaughter, require only recklessness, etc. There are exceptions to the general rule that a defendant must have a mens rea to be convicted of a crime.

What is the difference between general criminal intent and specific criminal intent?

Specific intent requires that the person had a subjective desire or knowledge that their actions would bring about illegal conduct. General intent crimes simply require that the person intended to perform the act in question.

What is a crime of specific intent?

Crimes of specific intent include murder, and those of basic intent most crimes of recklessness, including manslaughter.

Is vandalism a general intent crime?

As a general intent crime, vandalism under section 594 does not require an additional specific intent to damage or destroy the personal property of another, but instead requires only intent to do the act that causes the harm.

Is trespass a general intent crime?

Because one of the elements of trespass is specific intent to interfere with the owner's property, if you had no such intent, you cannot be convicted of criminal trespass.

How do you prove intent without confession?

There is rarely any direct evidence of a defendant's intent, as nearly no one who commits a crime willingly admits it. To prove criminal intent, one must rely on circumstantial evidence.

Is burglary a general intent crime?

Because this specific intent is an actual element of the crime, burglary is called a specific intent crime. Unlike general intent, specific intent cannot be inferred from the commission of the act. Rather, specific proof is required to demonstrate specific intent.

What kind of intent includes the general intent to commit the actus reus of a crime plus the intent to cause a criminally harmful result?

The most common definition of specific intent is general intent "plus." "General intent" refers to the intent to commit the actus reus of the crime. "Plus" refers to some special mental element in addition to the intent to commit the criminal act.

Which of the following will not establish the general intent requirement of a crime?

Which of the following will not establish the general intent requirement of a crime? motive.

What is general crime?

A general intent crime requires only an intent by the perpetrator to do an act that the law declares to be a crime even though the perpetrator may not know the act is unlawful. For a general intent crime it is not necessary that the perpetrator intend to cause a specific harm.

What are the 4 levels of intent?

Model Penal Code Criminal Intent

The Model Penal Code divides criminal intent into four states of mind listed in order of culpability: purposely, knowingly, recklessly, and negligently.

What are the two types of intent?

There are two types of intents in android: Implicit and. Explicit.

What are the 4 types of criminal intent?

There are four kinds of criminal intent: purposeful, knowing, reckless, and negligent.

What does battery mean in law?

Definition. 1. In criminal law, this is a physical act that results in harmful or offensive contact with another person without that person's consent. 2. In tort law, the intentional causation of harmful or offensive contact with another's person without that person's consent.

What is strict liability tort?

Overview. In both tort and criminal law, strict liability exists when a defendant is liable for committing an action, regardless of what his/her intent or mental state was when committing the action. In criminal law, possession crimes and statutory rape are both examples of strict liability offenses.

What separates GTA from joy?

The difference between joyriding and auto theft hinges on intent. In some states, that intent can also mean the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony. Joyriding is taking a car without intending to keep it. In contrast, a person who steals a car (grand theft auto) does not intend to return it to the owner.