MENS REA

(A) Latin for a guilty mind usually referring to the guilty state of mind required for a crime in conjunction with a prohibited act, e.g. intentional, reckless or negligence homicide. (B) Literally a guilty mind. To be found guilty of most crimes (other than strict liability), a defendant must have been found to be guilty of committing a criminal act (actus reus) and having a specific mental state (mens rea). For example, in order for a defendant to be guilty of the crime of murder, the defendant must have intended the death of the defendant and not have been merely reckless in his conduct causing the death of the victim.