Intent
mens rea: the intention to commit a criminal act.
A man drives to a tavern and then purchases and consumes enough alcoholic beverages to become legally intoxicated. He leaves the tavern, gets into his car; he takes a wrong turn and drives into a home, causing substantial damage to the structure and its contents.
The man is charged with Criminal Damage to Property.
Given these facts, does the man possess the necessary mens rea to sustain a guilty conviction on the charge of Criminal Damage to Property?
A man drives to a tavern and then purchases and consumes enough alcoholic beverages to become legally intoxicated. He leaves the tavern, gets into his car; he takes a wrong turn and drives into a home, causing substantial damage to the structure and its contents.
The man is charged with Criminal Damage to Property.
Given these facts, does the man possess the necessary mens rea to sustain a guilty conviction on the charge of Criminal Damage to Property?