mens rea
noun
, -ˈrā-ə\
Definition of mens rea
Examples of mens rea in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
ANONYMOUS Wrongdoing generally requires two elements: a guilty act, actus reus, and a guilty mind, mens rea. — Philip Galanes, New York Times, "Is Extra Help Hurting My Friend With Autism?," 19 Apr. 2018 Most significantly, the government contends that Lee had the necessary mens rea — the criminal-intent element — to commit the felony retention offense. — Andrew C. Mccarthy, National Review, "Former CIA Agent Arrested for Mishandling Classified Information," 17 Jan. 2018 Reimer said when asked about concerns that mens rea reform would help companies evade regulatory charges. — Matt Ford, The Atlantic, "Could a Controversial Bill Sink Criminal-Justice Reform in Congress?," 26 Oct. 2017 This time mens rea reform proponents have gone out of their way to enlist the support of left-leaning criminal-defense attorneys. — Ed Kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "The Obscure Legal Issue That May Foil Criminal-Justice Reform," 26 Oct. 2017 The office of Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy, another Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, said any mens rea reform would need to be narrowly tailored, not comprehensive and retroactive. — Ed Kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "The Obscure Legal Issue That May Foil Criminal-Justice Reform," 26 Oct. 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mens rea.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for mens rea
mens rea
noun
\
Legal Definition of mens rea
Comments on mens rea
What made you want to look up mens rea? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Name That Thing: Animal Edition
-
- Name that animal:
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
-
Name That Thing: Animal Edition
How many animals can you identify?
Take the quiz -
The Exceptions Quiz
One of these things is not like the others.
Take the quiz -
True or False?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
Take the quiz -
SCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!
Play the game
Share mens rea
Resources for mens rea