MODEL PENAL CODE ANNOTATED
  Modes of Culpability
(The Mental Element of Crime)

Model Penal Code
 

Purpose Knowledge Recklessness Negligence
Offense Elements



1. Conduct



   attitude: conscious object awareness [not defined] [not defined]
   probability:



2. Circumstance



   attitude: awareness, belief, hope awareness conscious disregard (no awareness)
   probability:

substantial & unjustifiable risk substantial & unjustifiable risk
3. Result



   attitude: conscious object  awareness conscious disregard (no awareness)
   probability:
practical certainty substantial & unjustifiable risk substantial & unjustifiable risk

Common Law
Offenses



(1)1 Intent

Criminal Negligence
  Specific General General



Reckless Carelessness



Reckless Negligence





   attitude: malice (aforethought) awareness (scienter) awareness (scienter)
  premeditation


  malignant heart







(2)2 Intent


  Specific Specific General General

New York Penal Law
 

Intent(ion) Knowledge Recklessness Criminal Negligence
Offense Elements



1. Conduct



   attitude: conscious object awareness [not defined] [not defined]
   probability:



2. Circumstance



   attitude: [not defined]  awareness awareness & conscious disregard (no awareness)
   probability:

substantial & unjustifiable risk substantial & unjustifiable risk
3. Result



   attitude: conscious object  [not defined] awareness & conscious disregard (no awareness)
   probability: irrelevant3 [not defined]  substantial & unjustifiable risk substantial & unjustifiable risk

Civil Law (German System)
 

Dolus

Culpa

Absicht Directus Eventualis w/ Awareness w/o Awareness
All Offense Elements




   attitude: conscious object awareness acceptance of risk belief in non-realization of risk (no awareness)
   probability: irrelevant certainty high low  low

[click here for expanded .pdf version of this chart]
 

Notes:
1See La. Crim. Code (1942) §§ 10-12 (pre-MPC codification) (now La. Rev. Statutes §§ 14-10 to -12).
2See State v. Cameron, 104 N.J. 42, 514 A.2d 1302 (1986) (interpreting MPC-based provision).
3See People v. Steinberg, 79 N.Y.2d 673 (1992).