Define: Specific Intent

Specific intent is a legal concept used in criminal law to describe a mental state in which an individual consciously intends to achieve a particular result or outcome through their actions. Unlike general intent, which refers to the intent to commit an act without necessarily having a specific purpose or goal in mind, specific intent requires a deliberate and conscious desire to bring about a specific consequence. Crimes that involve specific intent often require proof of the defendant’s subjective state of mind at the time of the offense, such as crimes involving premeditation, planning, or knowledge of the consequences of their actions. Establishing specific intent is crucial in determining culpability and the severity of criminal liability in legal proceedings.

An intent to produce the precise consequences of the crime, including the intent to do the physical act that causes the consequences. For example, the crime of larceny is the taking of the personal property of another with the intent to permanently deprive the other person of the property. A person is not guilty of larceny just because he took someone else’s property; it must be proven that he took it with the purpose of keeping it permanently.

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This glossary post was last updated: 29th March, 2024.