mens rea n. Quick reference
A Dictionary of Psychology (4 ed.)
... rea n. A legal term denoting criminal intent and knowledge of the wrongness of a criminal act, the criminal act itself being called the actus reus . For a defendant to be convicted of a crime, both an actus reus and a mens rea must normally be proved. See also insanity , McNaghten rules . [From Latin mens mind + rea ...
mens rea Quick reference
A Dictionary of Law (10 ed.)
...part of the mens rea (for example, the crime of receiving stolen goods requires the knowledge that they were stolen). Some crimes require no mens rea ; these are known as crimes of strict liability . Whenever mens rea is required, the prosecution must prove that it existed at the same time as the actus reus of the crime (coincidence of actus reus and mens rea : R v Le Brun [ 1992 ] QB 61). A defendant cannot plead ignorance of the law, nor is a good motive a defence. He may, however, bring evidence to show that he had no mens rea for the crime...
mens rea Quick reference
A Dictionary of Law Enforcement (2 ed.)
...as part of the mens rea (for example, the crime of receiving stolen goods requires the knowledge that they were stolen). Some crimes require no mens rea ; these are known as crimes of strict liability (for example using a motor vehicle on a road without insurance). Whenever mens rea is required, the prosecution must prove that it existed at the same time as the actus reus of the crime (coincidence of actus reus and mens rea : R v Le Brun [ 1992 ] QB 61). A defendant cannot plead ignorance of the law, nor is a good motive a defence. He...
mens rea Reference library
Australian Law Dictionary (3 ed.)
...mens rea ( common law criminal jurisdictions only) The mental or fault element of an offence necessary (for most offences) to establish criminal responsibility. Latin, usually pronounced ‘mens ray -uh’ and translated as ‘guilty mind’. Most crimes comprise mens rea and actus reus (external factors such as the conduct, circumstance and consequence that supply the necessary physical elements of the offence); the mens rea supplies the necessary moral culpability. For common law offences mens rea consists of intention, recklessness or knowledge or...
mens rea Quick reference
A Dictionary of Forensic Science
... rea Literally ‘guilty mind’, the term refers to a perpetrator's state of mind when committing a crime as either having criminal intent or being reckless but without criminal...
mens rea Quick reference
A Dictionary of Philosophy (3 ed.)
... mens rea (Latin, a guilty mind) In many systems of law, criminal guilt requires not only that an act was performed ( actus reus ) but also that it was performed with an appropriate mind-set. Having the intention to perform a crime is sufficient, but not necessary to mens rea . Foreseeing a side-effect such as a death could count, even if the death is not intended, and reckless negligence could also constitute mens rea . In wider contexts than law the phenomenon of moral luck means that people may acquire a burden of guilt or shame without having...
Mens rea Quick reference
Guide to Latin in International Law (2 ed.)
...Mens rea . māns rā´a . menz rā´u. n . “A guilty thought.” The element of mental guilt necessary for a finding of criminality, except in strict or absolute liability offenses. Most crimes require not only the performance of a prohibited physical act ( actus reus ), but wrongful intent ( mens rea ) as well. E.g., “The coordinated fashion and number of crimes is an indication of the existence of an organized scheme. Kordić had the necessary mens rea since he intended the crimes or accepted the risk that they would be committed.” Prosecutor v. Kordić ,...
Mens Rea Reference library
The Oxford Companion to American Law
... Rea , the subjective element for criminality, requires that a defendant have both a culpable state of mind (for instance, not be insane or coerced) and the particular mental state, such as intent, knowledge, recklessness, or negligence, required for the commission of a specific crime. See also Actus Reus ; Criminal Law Principles David S....
Actus non facit reum, nisi mens sit rea Quick reference
Guide to Latin in International Law (2 ed.)
...Actus non facit reum, nisi mens sit rea . ak´tūsnōn fa´kētrā´ūm, nē´sē māns sētrā´a . âk´tus nan fâ´sit rā´um, ni´zē menz sit rā´u. “The act does not make evil unless the spirit is evil.” A doctrine providing that an act is not culpable ( e.g ., criminal) unless performed with malignant intent. In international law, this doctrine applies most commonly to the crime of genocide, which is said to require a specific intent ( mens rea ) to extinguish a defined group. See also Dolus specialis and Mens rea...
actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea Quick reference
A Dictionary of Law (10 ed.)
...non facit reum nisi mens sit rea [Latin: an act is not necessarily a guilty act unless the accused has the necessary state of mind required for that offence] The maxim that, generally, a person cannot be guilty of a crime unless two elements are present: the actus reus (“guilty act”) and the mens rea (“guilty mind”). Most criminal offences require (1) an actus reus (conduct “external” to the defendant’s thoughts and intentions) and (2) a mens rea (a specific state of mind on the part of the...
actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea Quick reference
A Dictionary of Law Enforcement (2 ed.)
...non facit reum nisi mens sit rea [Latin: an act is not necessarily a guilty act unless the accused has the necessary state of mind required for that offence] The maxim that, generally, a person cannot be guilty of a crime unless two elements are present: the actus reus (‘guilty act’) and the mens rea (‘guilty mind’). Most criminal offences require (1) an actus reus (conduct ‘external’ to the defendant's thoughts and intentions) and (2) a mens rea (a specific state of mind on the part of the...
mens rea noun phrase Reference library
The Oxford Essential Dictionary of Foreign Terms in English
... rea noun phrase M19 Latin (= guilty mind). Law The state of mind accompanying an illegal act that makes the act a crime; criminal state of...
mens rea
actus reus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea
Essay with Commentary on Post-Biblical Jewish Literature Reference library
Philip S. Alexander
The Oxford Bible Commentary
...first fruits of the bread (20) and the win[e, and shall be the first to reach out] his hand to the bread. Thereaf[ter], the Messiah of Israel [shall rea]ch out his hand (21) to the bread, [and then] all the congregation of the community [shall pronounce a bles]sing, [each man in the order] of his dignity. And it is according to this statute that [they] shall proceed (22) at every me[al at which] at least ten men are [gat]hered together. Comment: According to Qumran theology there would be two Messiahs—a priestly (the Messiah of Aaron) and a political (the...
