for criminal intent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for criminal intent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts to refer to the mental state or purpose behind committing a crime. Example: "The prosecution must prove that the defendant acted with criminal intent to secure a conviction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Its adherents are called roofers, and they delight in gaining access to Moscow's buildings not for criminal intent, but to scamper up to the roofs to gape at the surrounding landscape.

The New York Times

Documents are accumulating, threads are being tightened by what can only be described as an A-team of prosecutors, and the shifting and incongruous explanations for the firing of FBI Director Comey help build a case for criminal intent.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

All criminal systems require an element of criminal intent for most crimes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Police Department began instructing officers to look for further evidence of criminal intent, like rifling through the bag and removing valuables, or lying to the police about the bag's contents.

The New York Times

Claims of Protection Mr. Khamees's lawyers later confessed to delivering the bribes on his behalf and the judges who received them quit or were fired, but Mr. Khamees, who also owns the rug giant Oriental Weavers, was acquitted for lack of evidence of criminal intent, according to news reports.

The New York Times

The justification for the elimination of proof of criminal intent in such cases is ordinarily made on the grounds of expediency.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Prosecutors appear to be bringing cases where fraud has resulted in large losses for investors and they have clear evidence of criminal intent by executives, he said.

The New York Times

More than 3 million shareholders have waited for the brothers to the end their slurs of criminal intent, fraud and stock shenanigans, which have dominated India's headlines.

Forbes

The F.B.I. opened 60 criminal investigations, a spokesman said, but prosecutors abandoned all but a few for reasons including a lack of evidence or proof of criminal intent.

The New York Times

The other category included all other intentional misuse and abuse of drugs or poisons that were not according to prescribed use and were used for reasons like recreational use for psychotropic effects, for malicious criminal intent as well as purposes of sabotage or terrorism.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

They're incapable of criminal intent.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for criminal intent", ensure the context clearly establishes a direct link between the intent and a specific criminal act or potential crime. This provides clarity and legal precision.

Common error

Avoid using "for criminal intent" when describing actions that result from negligence or recklessness, as these do not involve the required mental state for intentional crimes. Be precise in differentiating between accidents and intentional acts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for criminal intent" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun by specifying the purpose or motivation behind an action. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's often used in legal and journalistic contexts to describe the rationale behind illegal activities.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for criminal intent" is a prepositional phrase used to express the motivation behind an illegal act. It's grammatically correct and, according to Ludwig AI, often appears in legal and journalistic contexts. While its frequency is rare, its meaning is clear. Understanding the phrase's appropriate use and its distinction from negligence is crucial for legal precision. The alternatives presented offer varied ways to convey the same concept with subtle nuances. While the phrase itself is straightforward, ensure that in your writing the context clearly supports the assertion of criminal intent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with criminal intention

Replaces "intent" with "intention", offering a slight variation in wording while preserving the core meaning.

with unlawful purpose

Substitutes "criminal intent" with "unlawful purpose", keeping a formal and legal tone.

with the intention of committing a crime

Expands on the original phrase by explicitly stating the purpose of the intent, which is committing a crime.

in furtherance of criminal objectives

Highlights the advancement of criminal goals as the motivator behind actions.

for the purpose of criminal activity

Shifts the focus to the purpose behind the action, specifying that it is related to criminal activity.

motivated by criminal aims

Emphasizes that the driving force behind actions is criminal goals.

having a guilty mind

Uses the legal term 'mens rea', describing the mental state required for a crime.

to perpetrate a crime

Focuses on the act of carrying out a criminal action, driven by a specific purpose.

with malice aforethought

Employs a traditional legal phrase that indicates premeditation or planning of a criminal act.

to engage in criminal behavior

Describes the involvement in criminal actions with deliberate intent.

FAQs

What does "for criminal intent" mean in legal terms?

In legal contexts, "for criminal intent" refers to the mental state or purpose someone has when committing a crime. It signifies that the person acted deliberately and with the specific aim of violating the law. Establishing this intent is crucial for securing a conviction.

How is "for criminal intent" proven in court?

Proving "for criminal intent" typically involves presenting evidence that demonstrates the defendant's state of mind at the time of the offense. This can include witness testimonies, documented plans, or any other evidence showing the defendant's deliberate actions and understanding of the illegal nature of their actions.

What's the difference between "for criminal intent" and "mens rea"?

"For criminal intent" is a plain English expression describing the purpose behind committing a crime. "Mens rea" is a Latin term used in legal settings that literally translates to "guilty mind". Both concepts refer to the mental state required to be found guilty of a crime, but "mens rea" is the formal legal term.

Can a person be convicted of a crime without acting "for criminal intent"?

In most cases, a person cannot be convicted of a crime unless it's proven they acted "for criminal intent" or had the required "mens rea". However, there are some exceptions, particularly in cases of strict liability offenses, where the mere commission of the act is sufficient for conviction, regardless of intent.