In criminal law, what is meant by 'general intent'?

General intent refers to the awareness or knowledge of the factors surrounding the criminal act rather than a specific intention to achieve a particular result. In the context of criminal law, a person demonstrating general intent commits an act without necessarily having a specific intent to cause harm or achieve a specific outcome. This means that the individual is aware that their actions could lead to harmful consequences, and they proceed with the act regardless.

For example, in cases such as simple assault, the individual may not intend to injure someone specifically but understands that their actions could likely result in harm. The distinction is crucial in legal terms, as it helps determine the culpability of the defendant based on their mental state during the crime.

Thus, general intent focuses on the volitional aspect of the act committed while acknowledging the possible consequences, rather than the result of the action itself or the desire to contravene the law specifically.