Which term is defined as "A person acts knowingly with respect to conduct or to a circumstance described by a statute defining an offense when he is aware that his conduct is of such nature or that such circumstance exists"?

Which term is defined as "A person acts knowingly with respect to conduct or to a circumstance described by a statute defining an offense when he is aware that his conduct is of such nature or that such circumstance exists"?

• A. Knowingly
• B. Intentionally
• C. Recklessly
• D. Criminal negligence

Answer: (A)

Knowingly means being aware of the nature of your conduct or of the existence of a circumstance described by the offense. The statement specifies that a person acts knowingly when they are conscious that what they are doing is of that kind or that the relevant circumstance exists. So the term here is about awareness, not necessarily a desired outcome or a reckless disregard. This differs from intentionally, which requires a purpose to achieve a particular result; recklessly, which requires knowledge of a substantial risk and consciously disregarding it; and criminal negligence, which is a gross deviation from the standard of care, where the risk should have been perceived by a reasonable person. For example, knowingly possessing stolen property means you are aware that the item is stolen; unexpectedly possessing it without such knowledge wouldn’t meet that standard.

Knowingly means being aware of the nature of your conduct or of the existence of a circumstance described by the offense. The statement specifies that a person acts knowingly when they are conscious that what they are doing is of that kind or that the relevant circumstance exists. So the term here is about awareness, not necessarily a desired outcome or a reckless disregard.

This differs from intentionally, which requires a purpose to achieve a particular result; recklessly, which requires knowledge of a substantial risk and consciously disregarding it; and criminal negligence, which is a gross deviation from the standard of care, where the risk should have been perceived by a reasonable person. For example, knowingly possessing stolen property means you are aware that the item is stolen; unexpectedly possessing it without such knowledge wouldn’t meet that standard.