What do we call the mental state of the accused at the time of the crime?

The mental state of the accused at the time of the crime is referred to as 'mens rea,' which translates from Latin as "guilty mind." Mens rea is a critical component of criminal law, as it pertains to the intentions or knowledge a person has while committing an offense. To establish culpability, it must be shown that the accused not only committed the act (actus reus) but also had a particular mental state, such as intent, recklessness, or negligence, at the time the crime was committed. This concept ensures that the legal system distinguishes between those who commit crimes with intent to cause harm and those who may have acted without malicious intent.

Other terms in the options refer to different legal concepts; for example, actus reus pertains to the actual physical act of committing a crime. Criminal intent is a general term that captures the essence of mens rea but lacks the formalized legal definition. Negligence refers specifically to a failure to exercise reasonable care, which does not adequately describe the intentional or knowing state necessary for many crimes. Thus, mens rea accurately captures the definition of mental state in the context of criminal law.