How is "criminal intent" defined?

Criminal intent refers to a person's mental state with regard to committing a crime, specifically their intention to engage in conduct that constitutes an offense. This concept is critical in criminal law because it helps to establish whether the individual acted with purpose, knowledge, recklessness, or negligence at the time of the offense. Understanding criminal intent is essential for determining culpability, as it differentiates between those who commit crimes with malicious intent and those whose actions may have been unintentional or without awareness of wrongdoing. The presence of criminal intent typically influences the severity of charges and potential penalties in the legal process.