Fourth Circuit Vacates Where Instructions Failed to Inform Jury That Mens Rea of ‘Knowingly or Intentionally’ Applies to ‘Except as Authorized’ in 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) by Douglas Ankney by Douglas Ankney   The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit vacated the convictions of Dr. Joel Smithers because …

Mens Rea: Criminal Liability Should Equal Criminal Intent by Casey Bastian by Casey Bastian The American justice system was premised on certain legal principles. One of its most vital foundational principles was mens rea. Mens rea is Latin and literally means “guilty mind.” The principle that, to hold someone liable …