Intention in Europe

Definition of Intention

The general rule of law is that a person is presumed to intend the natural, reasonable and probable consequences of his acts, whether in fact he intended them or not.
In the criminal law there must be an intention to do some act before a person can be guilty of crime : A sleepwalker cannot commit a crime. ” The intent and act must both concur to constitute a crime ” (Lord Kenyon). A wrongful intention or guilty mind (mens red) is not essential in every crime. The mental elements of crimes differ widely, and must be ascertained from the definitions of particular crimes. In most indictable offences, however, e.g., homicide and bigamy, a wrongful intention is necessary to constitute a crime ; but in many acts prohibited by statute, especially those of an administrative character, there is imposed an absolute liability and the absence of a wrongful intent is no excuse, e.g., breaches of laws and regulations dealing with the revenue, public health and order, etc. See If. v. Beard; R. v. Frince; It. v. Tolson; R. v. Wheat; Cundy v. Le Cocq ; Xherras v. De Jtutzen

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Definition of Intention is, temporally, from A Concise Law Dictionary (1927). This page needs to be proofread.

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