[CJ] Chapter 3: Mens Rea (Bolded)

Question 1

Mens Rea

Answer 1

The “guilty mind” or mental state element of crimes.

Question 2

Actus Reus

Answer 2

The “bad action” element of crimes.

Question 3

Intentionally

Answer 3

The most serious of four potential levels of mens rea for crimes, generally understood to mean something similar to “on purpose”.

Question 4

Knowingly

Answer 4

The second most serious of the mens rea levels, this means that someone is aware of the results of their actions, but they decide to take those actions anyway.

Question 5

Recklessly

Answer 5

The third most serious of the mens rea levels, this is when someone takes an action despite knowing its risk.

Question 6

Negligently

Answer 6

The last of the mens rea levels, this is when someone’s actions don’t match up to the standard of care that a reasonable person would have in that situation.

Question 7

Mistake of Fact defense

Answer 7

A defense of one’s actions that suggest that misunderstanding or not knowing a key fact of the situation led to the defendant to do a bad action without having the mens rea to accompany it.

Question 8

Mistake of Law defense

Answer 8

A defense of one’s actions that suggest that misunderstanding or not knowing the action was illegal should mean that they are not guilty of it; this is not a valid defense in US courts.

Question 9

Strict Liability

Answer 9

A crime that lacks a mens rea element.