Which of the following is typically an example of a general intent crime?

Which of the following is typically an example of a general intent crime?

• A. Murder in the first degree
• B. Battery
• C. Speeding
• D. Forgery

Answer: (B)

General intent crimes require proof only that the defendant intended to perform the act itself, not that they had a specific goal beyond that act. Battery is a classic example because the offense rests on the intentional application of force to another person. You don’t need to intend to cause a particular result—just the act of touching or striking—which satisfies general intent. In contrast, the others involve specific intents or no mental state at all. Murder in the first degree requires premeditation and a particular intent to kill. Forgery involves the intent to defraud or deceive, a specific objective beyond the act of making a false document. Speeding is often treated as strict liability, where no mental state is required at all.

General intent crimes require proof only that the defendant intended to perform the act itself, not that they had a specific goal beyond that act. Battery is a classic example because the offense rests on the intentional application of force to another person. You don’t need to intend to cause a particular result—just the act of touching or striking—which satisfies general intent.

In contrast, the others involve specific intents or no mental state at all. Murder in the first degree requires premeditation and a particular intent to kill. Forgery involves the intent to defraud or deceive, a specific objective beyond the act of making a false document. Speeding is often treated as strict liability, where no mental state is required at all.