Editorial
Mens reamens rea
Also: guilty mind · mental element
Definition
The mental element of a criminal offence: the state of mind the prosecution must prove the defendant had, whether intention, knowledge, recklessness or negligence, according to what the offence requires.
In plain English: What was going on in the defendant's head. Most crimes need a guilty mind as well as a guilty act.
A common law definition. The term may mean something different, or nothing at all, in another legal system.
Usage
Offences of strict liability require no mens rea as to one or more elements. Which elements those are is a question of construction, not a general rule.