Mens Rea | The Canadian Encyclopedia

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Mens Rea

Mens Rea, "guilty mind" (Lat), refers to the mental state that must generally accompany a prohibited act before it can legally be considered a crime.

Mens Rea

Mens Rea, "guilty mind" (Lat), refers to the mental state that must generally accompany a prohibited act before it can legally be considered a crime. Different offences require different mental states; some require intention, eg, to commit theft; some knowledge, eg, that property possessed is stolen. In the case of some offences (viz, those of "strict" and "absolute liability"), no mens rea requirement exists.