scienter
noun
sci·en·ter
sī-ˈen-tər
1
: knowledge of the nature of one's act or omission or of the nature of something in one's possession that is often a necessary element of an offense
the scienter element constitutionally required for an obscenity statute—
Wall Dist. v. Newport News, 323 S.E.2d 75 (1984)
Wall Dist. v. Newport News, 323 S.E.2d 75 (1984)
also
: intent to engage in particular especially criminal conduct
a few environmental statutes…do away altogether with the need to prove scienter…requiring no proof of criminal intent whatsoever —R. J. Kafin et al.
R. J. Kafin et al. 2
: a mental state in fraud (as securities fraud) that is characterized by an intent to deceive, manipulate, or defraud
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Cite this Entry
“Scienter.” Merriam-Webster.com Legal Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/scienter. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
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