PSY 034 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Actus Reus, White Spirit, Harrow London Borough Council
9 Aug 2020
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Some crimes require intention as the mens rea, some recklessness, others a different state of mind (or none at all). The mens rea is divided into crimes of specific intent and crimes of basic intent. Intention is used in relation to consequences: thus, a person may be said to intend the consequence of his actions if he wants them to happen. A person"s motive, or reason, for doing something is usually not relevant to liability. One distinguishes between direct intent and oblique intent. Direct intent is the mental purpose, aim, or desire to accomplish a specific consequence. The defendant, a british subject, broadcast propaganda for the germans during the second. He said he had done it simply to save his wife and children who were still in. He was convicted of intentionally doing acts likely to assist the enemy. Criminal court of appeal allowed the defendant"s appeal.
