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Criminal Law & Justice vocabulary · Elements of Crime & Liability

Motive

Meaning in criminal law & justice, with examples

/ˈməʊtɪv/nounCommon term

In criminal law & justice, motive means: The reason why a person commits a crime, such as money, jealousy or revenge.

In Turkish: saik, güdü, sebep

How it is used

Detectives ask 'What was the motive?' and look for 'a possible motive'; journalists write about 'a financial motive'. Motive is different from intent: the prosecution usually does not have to prove why the defendant acted, but a clear motive can make its case stronger.

Example sentences

  1. Police believe the motive was robbery.

  2. We still have no motive for the attack.

  3. The prosecution argued that he had a strong financial motive.

Common collocations

  • possible motive
  • financial motive
  • establish a motive
  • motive for the crime
  • no apparent motive
  • intentThe mental decision to do something or to bring about a particular result; many serious crimes can only be committed with 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.
  • investigationThe process in which police or prosecutors collect facts and evidence to find out whether a crime was committed and who committed it.
  • perpetratorThe person who actually committed a crime or a harmful act; a formal word used by police, courts and researchers.

More terms: Elements of Crime & Liability

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