Mens Rea

Robinson, Paul

Abstract

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Mens Rea

Paul H. Robinson

University of Pennsylvania Law School

Encyclopedia of Crime & Justice, pp. 995-1006, 2002

Abstract:
Mens Rea, or "guilty mind," marks a central distinguishing feature of criminal law. An injury caused without mens rea might be grounds for civil liability but typically not for criminal. Criminal liability requires not only causing a prohibited harm or evil - the "actus reus" of an offense - but also a particular state of mind with regard to causing that harm or evil. For a phrase so central to criminal law, "mens rea" suffers from a surprising degree of confusion in its meaning.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 12

Keywords: mens rea, guilty mind, criminal

JEL Classification: K14

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Date posted: February 4, 2005

Suggested Citation

Robinson, Paul H., Mens Rea. Encyclopedia of Crime & Justice, pp. 995-1006, 2002. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=661161

Contact Information

Paul H. Robinson (Contact Author)

University of Pennsylvania Law School ( email )

3501 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
United States