The difference between general intent and specific intent:
- General intent – the defendant intended the conduct
- Specific intent – the defendant intended the conduct and the result
For a specific intent crime, the mens rea will typically be written into the statute. Intentional and knowledge based crimes are considered specific intent crimes. Here is a (not exhaustive) list of specific intent crimes:
Note: A specific intent crime cannot merge.
General intent crimes typically include crimes that are based on the defendant being reckless or negligence. Here is a (non exhaustive) list of general intent crimes:
- Negligent Homicide
- Solicitation (however, it is treated like a specific intent crime and modern statutes define it as a specific intent crime)