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Mens rea is the mental state of a criminal defendant.  In Latin it means "Guilty mind".  Usually there are four levels of mens rea in crimes, from most serious to less serious:

Mens rea is the mental state of a criminal defendant.  In Latin it means "Guilty mind".  Usually there are four levels of mens rea in crimes, in descending order of culpability:

1.  intent

1.  intent

<br>2.  knowledge

<br>2.  knowledge

<br>3.  recklessness

<br>3.  recklessness

<br>4.  gross (criminal) negligence

<br>4.  negligence

The trend in trials and in legislation has been to weaken the requirement of proof of mens rea.  A utilitarian view of justice does not depend on mens rea, while a moral view of justice does. Mens rea combined with [[actus reus]] is used to produce criminal liability.

The trend in trials and in legislation has been to weaken the requirement of proof of mens rea.  A utilitarian view of justice does not depend on mens rea, while a moral view of justice does. Mens rea usually combined with [[actus reus]] is used to produce criminal liability.

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[[Category:Latin Legal Terms]]

[[Category:Latin Legal Terms]]