New Jersey Criminal Intent or State of Mind
In New Jersey, an individual cannot be held guilty of a crime unless they possessed the necessary state of mind when the offense was committed. If you are facing criminal charges but don't believe you were of the state of mind to be eligible for conviction, it is important to discuss your case with an experienced criminal defense lawyer.
At Jack Venturi Law, we have more than 35 years of experience handling criminal cases throughout Central New Jersey. With an office in New Brunswick, we are prepared to represent you in any court throughout the entire state of New Jersey. Call us today at 866-448-8598 for a free initial consultation.
Criminal Intent or State of Mind Under New Jersey Law
For the state of mind requirement to be satisfied, the following must be present:
- Purposeful: where an individual acts with the purpose of bringing about an anticipated result
- Knowing: where conduct is committed knowingly by an individual who is aware of his/her actions
- Reckless: where an individual acts in a reckless manner with conscious disregard for the likely result
- Negligent: when conduct is negligent under the criminal code and committed in the face of substantial and justifiable risk
Our criminal defense attorneys are here to help you. We can discuss all of your defense options, including an insanity defense involving your mental state at the time of the alleged crime, disputing the state's finding that you were in a criminal state of mind and aware of your actions. To speak to us about your legal defense options, contact us today for a free initial consultation.
