Which is NOT listed as a NY mental state?

Which is NOT listed as a NY mental state?

• A. Strict liability
• B. Knowledge
• C. Negligence
• D. Fraud

Answer: (D)

In NY criminal law, the mental states (the mens rea) describe the defendant’s mindset at the time of the offense. The recognized states are knowingly, intentionally, recklessly, and negligently. Fraud, on the other hand, is not a mental-state term—it describes deceit or misrepresentation, not how the defendant minds the act. Strict liability also isn’t a mental state, since it imposes liability without requiring proof of a mens rea, but the question focuses on the formal list of mental states, which fraud does not belong to. Therefore, fraud is the one not listed as a NY mental state.

In NY criminal law, the mental states (the mens rea) describe the defendant’s mindset at the time of the offense. The recognized states are knowingly, intentionally, recklessly, and negligently. Fraud, on the other hand, is not a mental-state term—it describes deceit or misrepresentation, not how the defendant minds the act. Strict liability also isn’t a mental state, since it imposes liability without requiring proof of a mens rea, but the question focuses on the formal list of mental states, which fraud does not belong to. Therefore, fraud is the one not listed as a NY mental state.