California POST Training Practice Test

What defines a general intent crime?

1. A crime requiring a specific mental state

2. A crime where intent is not required

3. A crime that involves negligence

4. A crime with a clear victim

The correct answer is: A crime where intent is not required

A general intent crime is characterized by the requirement of committing an illegal act intentionally, but without the necessity of proving a specific intent to achieve a particular result. This means that while the offender must engage in a voluntary act or omission, the prosecution does not need to show that the individual had a particular purpose or intention beyond the act itself. For example, if someone commits a battery, the act of causing harm is sufficient to establish guilt, and the intent can be inferred from the action of causing that harm. In this context, the focus is on the action rather than the mental state or outcome; thus, it differentiates general intent from specific intent crimes, where the latter requires proof of a particular goal associated with the act. The features of negligence and the presence of a victim, while relevant in certain legal contexts, do not specifically define general intent crimes.