Criminal law is primarily concerned with two elements - the outward act and the inward state of mind. Professor Joshua Kleinfeld explains mens rea which is the standard used to determine the intention, or lack thereof, in a crime. Professor Kleinfeld discusses different examples where the same circumstances might or might not result in a crime, depending on the state of mind of the person involved.

Joshua Kleinfeld is Professor of Law at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. He teaches and writes in three areas: legal and political philosophy; legislation and statutory interpretation; and criminal law and procedure.


As always, the Federalist Society takes no position on particular legal or public policy issues; all expressions of opinion are those of the speaker.

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