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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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of mens rea1

First recorded in 1860–65, mens rea is from New Latin mēns rea
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Word History and Origins

Origin of mens rea1

Latin, literally: guilty mind
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Example Sentences

But there is a presumption which is not rebuttable with regard to the mens rea of the vessel.

Briefly, it may be said that in criminal law the constituent element of an offence is the mens rea or the guilty intent.

It is one of the earliest crimes in which the mens rea, or criminal intent, was taken special notice of.

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