mens rea

[ menz ree-uh ]

noun

, Law.

1. a criminal intent.

mens rea

/ ˈmɛnz ˈreɪə /

noun

1. law a criminal intention or knowledge that an act is wrong. It is assumed to be an ingredient of all criminal offences although some minor statutory offences are punishable irrespective of it Compare actus reus

Word History and Origins

Origin of mens rea¹

First recorded in 1860–65, mens rea is from New Latin mēns rea

Word History and Origins

Origin of mens rea¹

Latin, literally: guilty mind

Example Sentences

Crimes require what is known as “mens rea,” or an accompanying mental culpability.

From Encyclopedia.com

The latter, known as mens rea, is usually missing when dementia patients violate the law.

From Scientific American

That Trump persisted in using the same fraudulent technique in six years of recent tax returns is powerful evidence of mens rea or criminal intent.

From Salon

“And yet this was a 9-0 ruling saying that the mens rea ― or the mental state of the doctor ― it matters.”

From Seattle Times

No, the idea that Trump attempted a coup because he was caught up in a delusion that he was righting a wrong is a clumsy attempt at making a "mens rea" argument towards innocence.

From Salon