What is the required level of intent for general intent crimes?

For general intent crimes, the required level of intent is focused on the intention to commit the act itself. This means that an individual must have the intention to engage in the conduct, regardless of whether they intended to cause a specific consequence or result from that conduct. This distinction is crucial because general intent does not require a higher degree of intent, such as a desire for a particular outcome or awareness of the consequences.

In this context, an individual could be found guilty of a general intent crime if they voluntarily committed an act that is prohibited by law, even if they did not intend for a particular harmful consequence to occur. The emphasis is on the act itself and the defendant’s awareness of their action rather than specific results or outcomes that might arise from it. Therefore, the correct interpretation aligns with the notion that the perpetrator only needs to intend to execute the act for it to qualify as a general intent crime.