General Intent vs. Specific Intent

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:

1. Murder
2. Attempt
3. Conspiracy
4. Solicitation (under modern statutes)
5. Larceny
6. False Imprisonment

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:

1. Manslaughter
2. Negligent Homicide
3. Solicitation (however, it is treated like a specific intent crime and modern statutes define it as a specific intent crime)
4. Arson
5. Rape