Which is NOT a CL mental state?

• A. Specific Intent
• B. Malice
• C. General Intent
• D. Strict liability

Answer: (D)

Under common law, crimes often require a mental state, or mens rea. Specific intent means you deliberately aimed for a particular outcome beyond the act itself. General intent means you intended to perform the act itself, even if you didn’t intend the exact consequence. Malice covers a reckless or wrongful state of mind that reflects a disregard for harmful outcomes, used in certain offenses like some homicide statutes. The one that is not a mental state is strict liability. It imposes liability for the act without requiring any proof of the defendant’s mindset or intent. The focus is on the act itself, not what the person intended or knew, which is why strict liability offenses don’t require a mental state. This approach is common in regulatory or public-safety offenses where proving mens rea would be impractical.