What is the definition of Specific Intent?

• A. General awareness of the factors constituting the crime
• B. A desire to achieve a specific result
• C. Intent to commit a crime regardless of result
• D. Awareness that risk exists but no intent to achieve a result

Answer: (B)

Specific Intent means you must have a particular purpose or desired outcome in mind when you act, not just go through the motions of the conduct. You’re not satisfied with simply doing the act; you intend that a specific result happen as a consequence of your action. That’s why the option describing a desire to achieve a specific result is the best fit.

Think of it this way: a specific-intent crime requires proof that the defendant intended a particular outcome, such as theft with the intent to permanently deprive, or breaking and entering with the intent to commit a felony inside. By contrast, general awareness or merely performing the act without aiming for a specific result doesn’t meet that higher mental state. The other descriptions point to merely knowing the crime’s risk or to reckless or negligent conduct, rather than an actual targeted outcome.