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Criminal Law & Justice vocabulary · Elements of Crime & Liability

Intent

Meaning in criminal law & justice, with examples

/ɪnˈtent/nounCommon term

In criminal law & justice, intent means: The mental decision to do something or to bring about a particular result; many serious crimes can only be committed with intent.

In Turkish: kast, niyet, amaç

How it is used

Common in charges and judgments: 'with intent to', 'intent to kill', 'intent to supply' (drugs), 'criminal intent'. British judges also say 'intention'. Proving intent often depends on the defendant's actions and words, because nobody can see inside another person's mind.

Example sentences

  1. He was charged with possession of drugs with intent to supply.

  2. The jury had to decide whether she acted with intent or by accident.

  3. There was no evidence of an intent to kill.

Common collocations

  • with intent to
  • intent to kill
  • criminal intent
  • prove intent
  • lack of intent
  • mens reaA Latin term meaning 'guilty mind': the mental element of a crime, such as intention, knowledge or recklessness, which the prosecution must prove.
  • motiveThe reason why a person commits a crime, such as money, jealousy or revenge.
  • criminal negligenceA serious failure to take the care that a reasonable person would take, which causes harm or death and is serious enough to be treated as a crime.
  • murderThe crime of unlawfully and deliberately killing another person; it is one of the most serious offences in every legal system.
  • attemptThe crime of trying to commit an offence and taking real steps towards it, even though the offence is not completed.

More terms: Elements of Crime & Liability

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.