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Mens rea

//ˌmɛnz ˈɹiːə// noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A reactive mind, a conscious knowing by the individual that an act was committed, either by themselves or by another. general
  2. 2
    (law) criminal intent; the thoughts and intentions behind a wrongful act (including knowledge that the act is illegal); often at issue in murder trials wordnet
  3. 3
    A guilty mind, the conscious knowing of a perpetrator while committing an act that the act is illicit.

    "As a general rule the act (or omission) causing death and the relevant mens rea must occur at the same time. The most obvious application of this rule to exclude liability is the case where the mens rea is formed after the actus reus has taken place."

Etymology

From Latin mēns + reus (literally “guilty mind”), from the English common law precept Actus non facit reum nisi mens rea sit ("The act does not make a person guilty unless the mind is also guilty").

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