Attempt pg 11: Mere Intent | The Illustrated Guide to Law

Posted on October 18, 2012 by Nathan

The Illustrated Guide to Criminal Law
Chapter 9: At Least You Tried.
Attempt pg 11: Mere Intent

So the same goes for Dana, who actually intends to kill you. Although she’s loaded with mens rea, she hasn’t done anything with it.

Silhouette of Dana in a chair, playing with a yo-yo.

Mens rea without some actus reus is never a crime. So Dana doesn’t deserve to be punished, either.

Average Joe in detective garb.

AVERAGE JOE

Still, you probably ought to steer clear of her.

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Join the conversation! There are now 3 comments on this chapter's page 48. Mere Intent. What are your thoughts?

Alex says

I thought planning a crime often was a crime in itself. Like, if the police come across somebody’s plans for a bank heist, isn’t that cause enough to arrest them?

Reply ↓
- Nathan says
  in reply to Alex
  
  Keep reading about four more pages…
  
  Reply ↓
- WJS says
  in reply to Alex
  
  I would guess that although she plans to hurt you, “hurt you at some point in the future” is as specific as those plans get. That’s not really a plan, that’s a goal.
  
  Reply ↓

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