Define 'strict liability' in criminal law.

Strict liability refers to a category of offenses in criminal law where the prosecution is not required to prove the defendant's intent, or mens rea, to secure a conviction. In strict liability cases, an individual can be found guilty even if they did not intend to commit the criminal act or were not negligent in their actions. This legal principle is often applied in regulatory offenses, such as environmental laws or public safety regulations, where the law seeks to promote compliance and deterrence rather than punish intent.

This concept is particularly relevant in contexts where public safety is a concern, and the law aims to ensure that individuals take responsibility for their actions without needing to establish intent. The rationale behind strict liability offenses is to encourage greater vigilance and responsibility among individuals and organizations, as well as to facilitate easier prosecution of offenses that may otherwise be difficult to prove due to the requirement of intent.