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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 actor would not be guilty of having a guilty mind or criminal intent to possess illegal drugs. However, having a reckless mind or committing negligence can result in the appropriate criminal intent, e.g. negligent manslaughter or reckless disgregard crimes.

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