mens rea

Meaning

1. (general) A reactive mind, a conscious knowing by the individual that an act was committed, either by themselves or by another.
2. A guilty mind, the conscious knowing of a perpetrator while committing an act that the act is illicit.

Synonyms

malice aforethought

actus reus

premeditation

Translations

Vorsatz

élément moral

Absicht

δόλος

intention criminelle

intention délictueuse

intention coupable

dolo

intención dolosa

mens rea

نية جرمية

elemento subjetivo

عقل أو تفكير إجرامي

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˌmɛnz ˈɹiːə/

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").