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Simple English definitions for legal terms
general intent
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A quick definition of general intent:
General intent means that someone intended to do something, but they didn't necessarily want the consequences that came from it. This can be important in both civil and criminal cases, where it may need to be proven that someone acted with intent. In some cases, general intent is enough to satisfy the legal requirement for intent, but in other cases, specific intent is needed. For example, if someone intended to restrain someone else, that would be enough for a charge of false imprisonment, but if they intended to kill someone, that would require specific intent for a charge of first degree murder.
A more thorough explanation:
General intent refers to the intention to perform an action without necessarily intending the consequences that result from that action. In some cases, both criminal prosecutors and tort plaintiffs may need to prove that the defendant acted with general intent.
For example, if someone restrains another person without their consent, they may be charged with false imprisonment. In this case, the intent to restrain the person is enough to establish the mens rea (criminal intent) for the crime, even if the defendant believed they had the authority to do so.
However, general intent is not always enough to satisfy the mens rea for all crimes. For instance, first-degree murder requires specific intent to kill, not just an action that leads to death. In such cases, the prosecution must show specific intent to prove the crime.
Overall, general intent is an important concept in both criminal and tort law, as it helps to determine whether a defendant acted intentionally or not.