word
Legal
mens rea
MENZ REE-uh
mɛnz ˈriːəListen
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Syllable breakdown
mensrea
Dictionary meaning
The mental element of a crime; the intention or knowledge that a wrongful act is being committed.
History and origin
Latin: 'guilty mind'.
Examples
- To convict for murder, prosecutors must establish both actus reus and mens rea.
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