SPECIFIC INTENT Meaning and
Definition
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Specific intent is a legal term used to describe a type of mental state or mental element required for the commission of certain crimes. It refers to the specific purpose or objective that the offender must hold in mind when engaging in a particular unlawful act or conduct.
In criminal law, specific intent denotes a higher level of mens rea or culpable mental state compared to general intent. It implies that the perpetrator not only intended to commit the prohibited act but also had the conscious desire or aim to achieve a specific result or consequence through the commission of that act.
To establish specific intent, the prosecution must prove that the individual had a deliberate and premeditated intention to bring about the precise outcome that the law seeks to prevent. This entails demonstrating that the offender possessed knowledge, awareness, and understanding of the consequences of their actions.
Crimes that require specific intent typically include those of a more serious nature, such as murder, burglary, robbery, and conspiracy. The presence of specific intent can be inferred from the circumstances surrounding the offense, the words or actions of the offender, or any planning or preparation undertaken prior to the commission of the crime.
Different from general intent crimes where the intent to engage in the prohibited act is sufficient, specific intent crimes necessitate proof of a distinct mental state, showing that the offender had a particular objective beyond the mere act itself.
Common Misspellings for SPECIFIC INTENT
- apecific intent
- zpecific intent
- xpecific intent
- dpecific intent
- epecific intent
- wpecific intent
- soecific intent
- slecific intent
- s-ecific intent
- s0ecific intent
- spwcific intent
- spscific intent
- spdcific intent
- sprcific intent
- sp4cific intent
- sp3cific intent
- spexific intent
- spevific intent
- spefific intent
- spedific intent
Etymology of SPECIFIC INTENT
The term "specific intent" can be broken down into two parts: "specific" and "intent".
The word "specific" comes from the Latin word "specificus", which is derived from "species" meaning "kind" or "appearance". In English, "specific" refers to something that is clearly identified, precisely defined, or particular in nature.
The word "intent" originates from the Latin word "intentus", derived from the verb "intendere", which means "to stretch out" or "direct towards". In English, "intent" refers to a mental state of purpose, aim, or focus on a specific goal or objective.
Therefore, when combined together, the term "specific intent" refers to the mental state or conscious purpose of a person when engaging in a particular action or crime with a clearly identified goal in mind.
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