<P> Mens rea refers to the crime 's mental elements of the defendant 's intent . This is a necessary element -- that is , the criminal act must be voluntary or purposeful . Mens rea is the mental intention ( mental fault ) , or the defendant 's state of mind at the time of the offense , sometimes called the guilty mind . It stems from the ancient maxim of obscure origin , `` actus reus non facit reum nisi mens sit reas '' that is translated as `` the act is not guilty unless the mind is guilty . '' For example , the mens rea of aggravated battery is the intention to do serious bodily harm . Mens rea is almost always a necessary component in order to prove that a criminal act has been committed . </P>
<P> Mens rea refers to the crime 's mental elements of the defendant 's intent . This is a necessary element -- that is , the criminal act must be voluntary or purposeful . Mens rea is the mental intention ( mental fault ) , or the defendant 's state of mind at the time of the offense , sometimes called the guilty mind . It stems from the ancient maxim of obscure origin , `` actus reus non facit reum nisi mens sit reas '' that is translated as `` the act is not guilty unless the mind is guilty . '' For example , the mens rea of aggravated battery is the intention to do serious bodily harm . Mens rea is almost always a necessary component in order to prove that a criminal act has been committed . </P>
the mental element of a crime is called the
the mental element of a crime is called the
Mens rea
Mens rea