The Law Dictionary

CRIMINAL INSANITY

TheLaw.com Law Dictionary & Black's Law Dictionary 2nd Ed.

A defense that may be raised to a crime. Essentially, the defendant claims that the suffering of a mental defect or disease prevents the person from understanding and appreciating the wrongfulness of his or her actions or to distinguish right from wrong. For example, those who are deemed criminally insane are unable to be convicted of a crime since the crime involves a … [Read more...]

CRIMINAL INTENT

TheLaw.com Law Dictionary & Black's Law Dictionary 2nd Ed.

Having the necessary state of mind in order to be guilty of a crime. This is known as mens rea, a guilty mind. A person who was unaware of the consequences of his or her actions may not have the sufficient guilty mind. For example, a person who takes a paper bag off of a counter thinking it is food that has been paid for but the bag actually contains illegal drugs inside. The … [Read more...]

CRIMINAL

TheLaw.com Law Dictionary & Black's Law Dictionary 2nd Ed.

(noun) - One who has committed a criminal offense; one who has been legally convicted of a crime; one adjudged guilty of crime.(adjective) - That which pertains to or is connected with the law of crimes, or the administration of penal justice, or which relates to or has the character of crime. Charleston v. Beller, 45 W. Va. 44, 30 S. E. 152: State v. Burton, 113 N. C. 655, 18 … [Read more...]

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