§ 1-11 Criminal Intent - Definition

• Library: South Carolina Requests to Charge - Criminal (SCBar) (2012 Ed.)

§ 1-11 Criminal Intent - Definition

What does criminal intent mean in the law? Criminal intent is a state of mind which operates jointly with an act or omission in the commission of a crime. Criminal intent is a mental state of conscious wrongdoing. Criminal intent includes those consequences which: (a) represent the very purpose for which an act is done; or (b) are known to be substantially certain to result, regardless of one's desire. Intent may be shown by acts and conduct of the defendant and other circumstances from which you may naturally and reasonably infer intent. Criminal intent must be proven by the State beyond a reasonable doubt.

See State v. Taylor, 355 S.C. 392, 585 S.E.2d 303 (2003) (stating that unless otherwise indicated, prohibited act must be accompanied by criminal intent); State v. Fennell, 340 S.C. 266, 271, 531 S.E.2d 512, 515 (2000) ("A defendant may not be convicted of a criminal offense unless the State proves beyond a reasonable doubt that he acted with the criminal intent, or mental state, required for a particular offense."); State v. Foust, 325 S.C. 12, 479 S.E.2d 50 (1996) (noting intent may be shown by acts and

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